I've heard from ~15 physicians in past day that hospitals are reprimanding them for wearing masks, or refusing to make small operational changes such as doing frequent staff temperature checks, put away communal coffee pot, cancel routine visits b/c might "alarm" patients /1
So far, though, I have struggled to get anyone to go on the record with their firsthand accounts -- every physician says "you HAVE to write about this!" but also "find someone else, not me." Everyone expresses fear not only about their health, but about their job security /2
Seems crazy to me that hospitals would retaliate against urgently needed physicians during pandemic. But every dr has expressed genuine fear about this, says they've heard other physicians faced retaliation. (I don't know if this has happened - that part always shared 2ndhand) /3
If you can help me document cases where hospitals are making poor decisions (not just bc of supply shortages, but misplaced fear of "alarming" patients); or where hospitals have actually retaliated vs. dr's for asking for more protections, please reach out: CRampell@washpost.com
