Mar 25, 2021 - Health

Hospitals still in "survival mode," inspector general report finds

Marisa Fernandez

Illustrated collage featuring a Spanish fireman, paramedics transporting a patient to an emergency room entrance in Brooklyn, and an employee of Hospital writing out #heathcare heroes — Photo Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images, Bruce Bennett/Getty Images, and Europa Press News/Europa Press via Getty Images

A year into the pandemic, hospitals say they're still in "survival mode," according to a new report from the Health and Human Services Department's inspector general.

The big picture: Health care workers have had to deal with long hours, overwhelming patient volumes and supply shortages — all on top of a high risk of infection, and the isolation that we've all experienced.

Details: The report surveyed more than 300 hospitals nationwide from February 22-26 on the effects of the pandemic.

Hospitals said staff were "exhausted, mentally fatigued, and sometimes experiencing possible PTSD" due to long hours, more shifts, time away from family and increased responsibilities.

Add Axios on Google

Hospitals still in "survival mode," inspector general report finds

What to read next