Hospitals accused of firing health workers who speak on COVID-19 equipment shortages

Healthcare workers could be fired if they speak up about working conditions at hospitals or shortages during the coronavirus pandemic, media outlets reported.

The NYU Langone Health system warned employees they could be fired if they speak to the media without permission, Bloomberg reported.

Employees received a note from Kathy Lewis, executive vice president of communications, saying they would be “subject to disciplinary action, including termination” if they talked to the media without authorization.

Jim Mandler, a spokesman for NYU Langone Health, told Bloomberg: “Because information is constantly evolving, it is in the best interest of our staff and the institution that only those with the most updated information are permitted to address these issues with the media.”

Dr. Ming Lin, who worked at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Washington, was removed on Friday, according to The Seattle Times. Lin spoke to the press about the lack of medical supplies and the need to better protect healthcare employees during the pandemic.

TeamHealth told The Seattle Times that Lin is still employed by the company but is no longer working at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.

Lauri Mazurkiewicz is suing Northwestern Memorial Hospital after she said she was fired for warning employees on March 25 that face masks they were instructed to wear were unsafe, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Mazurkiewicz said Northwestern told staff to wear masks “less safe and less effective” than N95 masks, according to the Chicago Tribune.

“I just wanted to be a good nurse,” Mazurkiewicz said during a news conference, according to the Chicago Tribune.

This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Hospitals accused of firing health workers who speak on COVID-19 equipment shortages."