“Right now the push is really education,” said Sheehan of Mass General Brigham, noting the health system is providing information online, on paper, and through one-on-one conversations with employees.
Unfortunately, I have to “subscribe” to read the article.
I ended up canceling my NyT and subscribed to globe for $1 a week for 24 weeks.
This summarizes it. I was more focused on the paragraph re brigham that I posted in initial comment
“ Hospitals across Massachusetts are preparing to fire hundreds of employees who refuse to be vaccinated for COVID as the institutions seek to balance patient safety and ongoing workforce shortages.
Hospital leaders are racing to vaccinate and avoid firing as many workers as possible. Already, hospitals are struggling to hire enough nurses and other critical workers to meet the high demand from patients — those sick with COVID, as well as the many people who deferred medical care earlier in the pandemic.
Executives don’t expect the number of employees who lose their jobs over vaccination requirements to result in cutbacks to patient services, but they are intensifying efforts to recruit and retain workers just in case.”
I applaud them. EVERY hospital should do the same.
I know I would not want someone not vaccinated treating me. The flu was particularly bad the year Mac was having chemo treatments. Hospitals were mandating flu shots for employees and some were refusing. It added a whole extra level of stress to wonder if the chemo staff was vaccinated. And as we know, covid is far worse than flu
But then I don’t trust the vaccine to be a safe bet……especially when it comes to the sickest and therefore most susceptible in hospitals. I’d hope there is a testing protocol for all also.
I hope all hospitals are taking the approach that Brigham is taking. Heaven knows information and comments from Washington isn’t helping
Pfeizer has asked for permission to use its vaccine for 5-11 year olds.
Thanks TK!
These are the folks who insist masks are not needed in school.
There is this sad situation in Colorado. The University of Colorado Medical Center has refused a kidney transplant because the patient and organ donor have refused to get vaccinated. The hospital rules that no transplants for unvaccinated patients and/or donors. Other hospitals throughout the nation now have these new policies as well. I don’t know about locally though.
This story was on GMA this morning.
Thanks, Philip. I had not seen this story
I have to think it a bit. The person is not taking a kidney from a donor on the donor list because she found her own donor. She said the hospital had not indicated a problem until now. She is willing to sign a waiver.
I think we have to remember that most, if not all, transplant patients take immunosuppressant drugs. So, the hospital has to consider the risk that she and her donor will pose to the other patients, not to mention the medical staff. She will be taking immunosuppressant drugs, making her more vulnerable. If she were to contract COVID, she would be treated, possibly in an ICU for quite some time, regardless of any waiver she may sign. It’s not simple.
I was thinking there has to be a risk to others and that it isn’t just her choice or the donors. The question is whether she had been told from the start. I can only guess at that so think, even if the hospital made a mistake and didn’t explain this, it cannot risk others.
I don’t know what she was or wasn’t told. But, I have a niece who was a live organ donor and she had to go through quite a bit–psychological counselling, risk/benefit, etc. They treat live donors very well, but it is still no picnic. I have another niece who was an organ recipient (separate transplant) and it was the same thing–weeks and weeks of preparation both physically and psychologically. She actually bounced up and down the transplant list, mostly due to her behavior. It’s not a quick process.
I also have had that experience so absolutely understand
I did see another persons question that was on my mind. The person asked if someone were in an auto accident and needed a transplant to live but was not vaccinated, would the hospital refuse.
It is an interesting conversation
Please note…I’m not in any way disagreeing with the hospitals decision. I’m just curious.
I found this re required immunizations surrounding transplant. I’m still curious with regard to the question i posted above
It’s an interesting question, but it’s probably an academic one. Generally speaking, they don’t do transplants all of a sudden. For starters, they have to make sure it’s a match, and they need to have a viable organ handy. But, I have been told, if there is an accident, they treat first, ask questions later.
Sure is interesting. Thanks, Deb. Great discussion.
The slow and painful burn across Britain continues, with more than 40,000 cases reported today (first time in well over a month; yesterday’s 39,000 tally suggests that today’s is not a blip) and 122 deaths (150 deaths reported yesterday). Hospitalizations are up as well. I’m also seeing increases in cases across Europe. Subtle rise, but still something to keep an eye on. Last year, around this time and certainly by the middle of October, Europe began its large wave. It won’t be as large this time.
Romania Covid update: Cases rise on a steep (almost vertical) trajectory, number in ICU at record-high. Hungary has offered help. Romania has asked EU for help.
– New cases: 14,467
– In hospital: 14,943 (+374)
– In ICU: 1,556 (+43)
– New deaths: 282 (92% unvaccinated)
– 7-day average: 214 (+15)
Ukraine and all 3 Baltic countries are in similar dire straits. Moldova, Bulgaria, and Turkey are right behind.
In this graph, you can see how the UK is faring poorly compared to other countries in Europe in terms of hospitalizations. On the other hand, Portugal shows the importance of a successful vaccination campaign (and Portugal’s is HUGELY successful). https://twitter.com/CNagpaul/status/1446163337830674436/photo/1
UK’s vaccination rate isn’t bad, by the way, though it now lags behind most European countries. The UK is at a disadvantage, too, because it has a much larger portion of its population whose immunity is waning. Vaccines were given to Brits in much larger numbers early on than most Europeans. So, the UK has a relatively large number of vaccinated folks in hospital.
C-19 for 10-8 is ready.
Comments are closed.
Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
This is going to be a mess
Good for brigham. Now maybe folks at the top can take a deep breath, stop scare tactics and bribes, and spend time educating ….honestly.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/06/metro/mass-hospitals-prepare-fire-hundreds-employees-who-refuse-covid-vaccine/
“Right now the push is really education,” said Sheehan of Mass General Brigham, noting the health system is providing information online, on paper, and through one-on-one conversations with employees.
Unfortunately, I have to “subscribe” to read the article.
I ended up canceling my NyT and subscribed to globe for $1 a week for 24 weeks.
This summarizes it. I was more focused on the paragraph re brigham that I posted in initial comment
“ Hospitals across Massachusetts are preparing to fire hundreds of employees who refuse to be vaccinated for COVID as the institutions seek to balance patient safety and ongoing workforce shortages.
Hospital leaders are racing to vaccinate and avoid firing as many workers as possible. Already, hospitals are struggling to hire enough nurses and other critical workers to meet the high demand from patients — those sick with COVID, as well as the many people who deferred medical care earlier in the pandemic.
Executives don’t expect the number of employees who lose their jobs over vaccination requirements to result in cutbacks to patient services, but they are intensifying efforts to recruit and retain workers just in case.”
I applaud them. EVERY hospital should do the same.
I know I would not want someone not vaccinated treating me. The flu was particularly bad the year Mac was having chemo treatments. Hospitals were mandating flu shots for employees and some were refusing. It added a whole extra level of stress to wonder if the chemo staff was vaccinated. And as we know, covid is far worse than flu
But then I don’t trust the vaccine to be a safe bet……especially when it comes to the sickest and therefore most susceptible in hospitals. I’d hope there is a testing protocol for all also.
I hope all hospitals are taking the approach that Brigham is taking. Heaven knows information and comments from Washington isn’t helping
Pfeizer has asked for permission to use its vaccine for 5-11 year olds.
Thanks TK!
These are the folks who insist masks are not needed in school.
https://thehill.com/homenews/the-memo/575670-the-memo-culture-war-intensifies-over-school-boards
There is this sad situation in Colorado. The University of Colorado Medical Center has refused a kidney transplant because the patient and organ donor have refused to get vaccinated. The hospital rules that no transplants for unvaccinated patients and/or donors. Other hospitals throughout the nation now have these new policies as well. I don’t know about locally though.
This story was on GMA this morning.
Thanks, Philip. I had not seen this story
I have to think it a bit. The person is not taking a kidney from a donor on the donor list because she found her own donor. She said the hospital had not indicated a problem until now. She is willing to sign a waiver.
https://www.kktv.com/2021/10/06/colorado-springs-woman-denied-kidney-transplant-because-vaccination-status/
I think we have to remember that most, if not all, transplant patients take immunosuppressant drugs. So, the hospital has to consider the risk that she and her donor will pose to the other patients, not to mention the medical staff. She will be taking immunosuppressant drugs, making her more vulnerable. If she were to contract COVID, she would be treated, possibly in an ICU for quite some time, regardless of any waiver she may sign. It’s not simple.
I was thinking there has to be a risk to others and that it isn’t just her choice or the donors. The question is whether she had been told from the start. I can only guess at that so think, even if the hospital made a mistake and didn’t explain this, it cannot risk others.
I don’t know what she was or wasn’t told. But, I have a niece who was a live organ donor and she had to go through quite a bit–psychological counselling, risk/benefit, etc. They treat live donors very well, but it is still no picnic. I have another niece who was an organ recipient (separate transplant) and it was the same thing–weeks and weeks of preparation both physically and psychologically. She actually bounced up and down the transplant list, mostly due to her behavior. It’s not a quick process.
I also have had that experience so absolutely understand
I did see another persons question that was on my mind. The person asked if someone were in an auto accident and needed a transplant to live but was not vaccinated, would the hospital refuse.
It is an interesting conversation
Please note…I’m not in any way disagreeing with the hospitals decision. I’m just curious.
I found this re required immunizations surrounding transplant. I’m still curious with regard to the question i posted above
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164225/
It’s an interesting question, but it’s probably an academic one. Generally speaking, they don’t do transplants all of a sudden. For starters, they have to make sure it’s a match, and they need to have a viable organ handy. But, I have been told, if there is an accident, they treat first, ask questions later.
Sure is interesting. Thanks, Deb. Great discussion.
The slow and painful burn across Britain continues, with more than 40,000 cases reported today (first time in well over a month; yesterday’s 39,000 tally suggests that today’s is not a blip) and 122 deaths (150 deaths reported yesterday). Hospitalizations are up as well. I’m also seeing increases in cases across Europe. Subtle rise, but still something to keep an eye on. Last year, around this time and certainly by the middle of October, Europe began its large wave. It won’t be as large this time.
Romania Covid update: Cases rise on a steep (almost vertical) trajectory, number in ICU at record-high. Hungary has offered help. Romania has asked EU for help.
– New cases: 14,467
– In hospital: 14,943 (+374)
– In ICU: 1,556 (+43)
– New deaths: 282 (92% unvaccinated)
– 7-day average: 214 (+15)
Ukraine and all 3 Baltic countries are in similar dire straits. Moldova, Bulgaria, and Turkey are right behind.
In this graph, you can see how the UK is faring poorly compared to other countries in Europe in terms of hospitalizations. On the other hand, Portugal shows the importance of a successful vaccination campaign (and Portugal’s is HUGELY successful). https://twitter.com/CNagpaul/status/1446163337830674436/photo/1
UK’s vaccination rate isn’t bad, by the way, though it now lags behind most European countries. The UK is at a disadvantage, too, because it has a much larger portion of its population whose immunity is waning. Vaccines were given to Brits in much larger numbers early on than most Europeans. So, the UK has a relatively large number of vaccinated folks in hospital.
C-19 for 10-8 is ready.