Staff Shortages Reported at 2 PA Hospitals

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Surveyors from the Pennsylvania Health Department have recently reported that two hospitals had staff shortages and those shortages impacted patient care.
At the First Hospital of the Wyoming Valley surveyors reported that the hospital "failed to ensure they employed adequate staff to provide adequate active treatment.
The reports come at a time when many medical facilities are reporting layoffs and cutbacks in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Officials at Lehigh Valley Hospital Pocono did not respond to requests for comment.
Annmarie Poslock, spokeswoman for First Hospital said the hospital filed a plan of correction which was accepted by the state.
"We have secured additional staffing resources to support treatment for the patients in our care," she stated.
The report on First Hospital noted that four senior inpatient therapist slots were unfilled and that the director of social services did not meet the qualifications to hold that position.
"The hospital must employ or undertake to provide adequate numbers of qualified profesional, technical and consultative personnel to provide active treatment measures," the report states.
At Lehigh Valley Pocono the report focuses on the lack of adequate registered nurses, including one day when three nurses were left to provide care for 28 patients. Six should have been on duty, the report states.
The staffing shortage, the surveyors found, resulted in three patients facing lengthy delays in getting needed medications. One patient didn't get the precribed medication till the next day.
The records reviewed showed that there were extensive delays in repositioning bedbound patients. One patient who was supposed to be repositioned every two hours was not repositioned for 12 hours.
In a plan of correction filed with the state hospital officials said they would offer bonuses in an ongoing efort to fill staff vacancies. The plan also includes so-called ambulance diversions to slow the flow of patients to the emergency room.
The report cites the failure to monitor the blood pressure of an emergency room patient and the failure to provide food to five ER patients.
On multiple dates, the surveyors found, the facility failed to have a trauma certified registered nurse on duty in the emergency room.
Hospital records showed some emergency room patients gave up and left without even being seen. On Dec. 4 15 patients gave up and left without being seen.
Other cases cited include a lengthy delay in tending to a patient who had fallen off a bike headfirst.
In its plan of correction the hospital said it would take steps to ensure adequate staff. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com