Cuomo: NY wants former doctors, nurses on standby for coronavirus surge – newyorkupstate.com

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says former doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers in New York should consider rejoining their former hospitals and healthcare systems to handle a potential surge in coronavirus cases.

Cuomo said the state is also looking at potential sites for temporary hospitals in the state as a backup plan if New York’s healthcare system becomes overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.

The governor said the state will help expedite the re-certification of former doctors, nurses and other healthcare who might be needed in an emergency.

“Department of Health is working to get people into positions where they can work, for example, in an ICU unit,” Cuomo said Thursday in Albany. “We’re asking former doctors and nurses to reconnect with your old hospital, your old healthcare employer, to be on an on-call basis.”

Cuomo also wants to build a reserve healthcare workforce by enlisting National Guard medics, EMTs and other Guard members with medical training. He also will ask medical schools across the state to make personnel available to assist in an emergency.

To keep hospital beds open, the state will consider asking healthcare facilities to postpone elective surgeries, which take 25 to 35 percent of hospital beds.

Cuomo emphasized that the plans would only be implemented to help hospitals handle a surge in patients.

“This is all if, if, if, if, if, but that’s why it’s planning,” he said. “Plan for every contingency now. Hopefully you don’t have to do any of it.”

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