Senator Rivera And Senator Bailey Engage Stakeholders To Identify Effective Solutions To Reports Concerning Montefiore Medical Center's Emergency Units

Legislators Will Continue to Work with All Involved Parties to Identify Efficient Course of Action to Address Concerns at Montefiore Medical Center
Several Solutions are Being Weighed to Improve Patient Care in Emergency Rooms in the North Bronx and The Bronx overall

(Bronx, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Ranking Member of the Senate Health Committee, and State Senator Jamaal Bailey sent a letter to New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and New York City Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) to discuss possible solutions to the alarming reports of increased wait times, overcrowding, and unsafe hallway placement at Montefiore Medical Center's emergency departments.
 
Last month, after these concerning reports surfaced, Senator Rivera and Senator Bailey met with nurses employed at Montefiore, representatives of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), and Montefiore's leadership to discuss possible solutions to address the aforementioned issues and improve patient care in emergency situations in the North Bronx and Bronx in general. A few of the proposed solutions will require the input and participation of the NYSDOH and the NYC H+Hospitals. They include:

• Reopening units at Westchester Square Medical Center. Montefiore has space at Westchester.
• Identifying potential patient rooms in all of Montefiore Bronx hospitals and produce a schedule to reopen closed beds.
• Expanding emergency services at North Central Bronx Hospital.
• Closing or repurposing the Ebola unit and using it for emergency patient care.

"Our first priority is to ensure that our constituents and all Bronx residents have access to quality and safe medical care," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "There are a number of factors that need to be considered and addressed to determine the best step forward in this situation. Several proposals have been put on the table and we are committed to working with all the interested parties to implement thought-out solutions that will improve care, while taking into consideration the serious health care needs of our borough."
 
"Ensuring that all patients in the Bronx receive appropriate medical attention in a timely and efficient manner is a priority. In a borough where we are constantly looking to increase healthcare outcomes, we must carefully look at the balance between all interested parties, and work towards the best solution to these issues. We must weigh the totality of the circumstances and continue the conversations with all involved. I am glad to be working with all parties in order to improve healthcare in the Bronx," said State Senator Jamaal Bailey.