PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Doctors and nurses could walk off the job and go on an open-ended strike Friday at 14 Providence Hospital locations, affecting patient care, hospital officials said Monday.
“There is no replacement workforce for physicians, such as the one that exists for nurses,” Chief executive for Providence Oregon Chief Executive Jennifer Burrows said in a statement.
Some appointments may be moved and officials at Providence St. Vincent said they will have to cap the number of patients.
Between 60-70 physicians working at Providence St. Vincent are expected to take part in the strike, hospital officials said. That information prompted them to notify the Oregon Health Authority it will need to cap patients at the facility.
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“We anticipate longer delays in our emergency department and more ambulance divert,” said Providence St. Vincent Chief Medical Officer Raymond Moreno.
Officials said Providence St. Vincent right now has about 450 patients, but they predict that a doctors strike will limit their ability to serve no more than 275 patients. To that end, admissions will begin to be limited.