Concern grows as Providence nurses, doctors set to strike

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Concern is growing over hospital care as a Friday strike looms at all eight Providence Hospitals in Oregon. Thousands of nurses are expected to walk out along with dozens of doctors, all members of the Oregon Nurses Association.

Unlike previous health care strikes, this is an open-ended strike with no planned limit on how long it will last.

Providence St. Vincent Hospital could be one of the most affected by the strike. It's already limiting admissions and it's where the doctors will join in the strike.

Some appointments may be moved and officials at Providence St. Vincent said they will have to cap the number of patients.

Those doctors are hospitalists -- that is, they care for patients inside the hospital only. Their concerns, like the nurses, is there is not enough time with patients, there are too many work hours, not enough staff plus there's a need for better pay to help with recruiting and retention.

Finding temporary replacements for the physicians is more challenging than finding fill-ins for the nurses, Providence officials said.

Asked what will happen at Providence St. Vincent when the strike begins, Providence Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ben LeBlanc said, "The hospital will be open. The emergency department will be open. The waits may be longer. We'll have to go on ambulance diversion for periods of time. But we will be open for care. And we will have hospitalists there to care for patients who are admitted."

Hospitals will also look at deferring or rescheduling some procedures. As for the six Providence women's clinics with a focus on pregnant women, two clinics will remain open -- one on the east side and one on the west side.

Another bargaining session between Providence and the women's clinic doctors and nurses is slated for Wednesday. An agreement is still possible, but as of now, the strike is set to begin at 6 a.m. Friday.