Maine hospital suspends some admissions, diverts patients over vaccine mandate staffing concerns

A Maine hospital has temporarily suspended pediatric, heart attack and trauma admissions Monday amid concern it could face staffing shortages when a COVID-19 vaccination mandate goes into effect later this month, according to local reports.

Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston will assess and stabilize any patients who arrive at the emergency room and then divert them to another facility if they need to be admitted, local news outlet WMTW reported.

The hospital said it has already temporarily closed its neonatal intensive care unit in case of staff shortages when Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate takes effect at the end of the month, the Bangor Daily News reported.

While a majority of the hospital staff is already vaccinated, more than 250 employees have not submitted their vaccination records as of Friday, the hospital told the paper. Of those 250 staffers, 170 have roles that directly deal with patients. – READ MORE