Upstate University Hospital to shutter ORs, blaming NY vaccine mandate for staff shortage

Covid in Onondaga County

Doctors and nurses at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse care for patients in the Covid-19 ICU. File photo.

Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse will temporarily close 22 of its 35 operating rooms starting Monday in anticipation of a growing staff shortage due to New York’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate.

The hospital had already postponed elective surgeries as a result of chronic staff shortages during the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, priority will be given to surgeries that are medically necessary, time sensitive or involve critical-care trauma cases, the hospital announced Friday. Those surgeries will be consolidated into the 13 open operating rooms.

Earlier in the day, the hospital warned employees who cannot prove that they’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19 by 5 p.m. Monday will not be allowed to work Tuesday.

The warning sent in an email to hospital workers said unvaccinated employees will likely be suspended without pay.

Employees had been given a month to comply with the order from New York state that requires all healthcare workers to be vaccinated by Monday, Sept. 27.

The vaccine requirement includes staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities like nursing homes, adult care sites and other congregate care settings.

Upstate Medical University said in a statement Friday that it hopes to resume its full surgical schedule as soon as possible.

“While Upstate University Hospital continues to ensure the best care for our patients, we are proactively taking temporary measures to focus on COVID cases, as well as safely meet the critical care needs of the community,” the statement said.

Hospital officials said they are trying to balance staffing challenges with an increasing demand for patient care.

An Upstate spokesperson said she did not know how many positions are currently open at the hospital. Dozens of available jobs are listed at Upstate Medical University’s employment website.

Upstate employs more than 6,600 people at its hospital in downtown Syracuse and Community General campus on Onondaga Hill.

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