Dorian Alexander, MD, an emergency physician at the level 2 trauma center, said staff are struggling to handle a crisis other than COVID-19: gun violence. Over the summer, Brookdale treated 149 gunshot victims, compared to 55 last year.
More patients also have multiple gunshot wounds, which ultimately makes them harder to save, the physician said. In July, 81 percent of gunshot patients were in critical condition, according to hospital data.
“Normally you’ll get someone who was shot twice. Three times maybe. But we’re talking about 20, 30 times,” Dr. Alexander said. “Our ability to save that person at that point is almost nonexistent.”
As of Aug. 27, there were 974 shooting incidents in New York City, almost double the year before, which had 527.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and several police officials have cited demonstrations related to George Floyd’s murder, recent police reform bills causing officers to pull back, and releases from jail due to COVID-19 and bail reform.
“When you say gun violence, the majority of people are thinking, oh, a TV gangster or something,” said Dr. Alexander. “No. Regular folk. Regular people, 30s, 20s, teenagers, preteens, people less than 10 years old. Those are the people that we see.”
More articles on patient flow:
Washington hospital suspends surgeries due to sterilization issue
Illinois health system to close primary care facility after COVID-19 exposures
California hospital to reopen after wildfires forced 10-day closure
More articles on patient flow:
Massachusetts hospital remains closed 2 months after flooding
Illinois health system to close primary care facility after COVID-19 exposures
California hospital to reopen after wildfires forced 10-day closure
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