A shortage of nursing staff forced Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida, Tenn., to stop admitting new patients Sept. 23, sources told the Independent Herald.
Several employees reportedly stopped showing up for their shifts because of a delay in payroll. "Staff aren't showing up due to non-payment and patients can't be admitted because the staff aren't there to take care of them. We're in trouble," said an employee who spoke to the Independent Herald on condition of anonymity.
Employees also told the Independent Herald their insurance was cut off July 1 but insurance premiums continued to be deducted from employees' paychecks until September.
West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Rennova Health, which owns the hospital, said employees would be reimbursed for the premiums that were deducted. Payment had not been made as of Sept. 23, according to the Independent Herald.
Jellico (Tenn.) Community Hospital, which is also owned by Rennova, is in a similar situation. Employees say their paychecks have been delayed several times and their insurance was terminated July 1, according to TV station WVLT.
Access the full Independent Herald article here.
Access the full WVLT article here.
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