The surge in COVID-19 cases is causing big changes for the area’s largest health provider. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinAdvocate Aurora has temporarily shut down three urgent care clinics and closed its hospitals to all visitors. Health system officials said it is for the safety of patients and staff.The COVID-19 surge and staffing shortages are why Advocate Aurora temporarily and abruptly closed its urgent care centers in Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, and downtown Milwaukee.The move caught some outside those clinics Thursday by surprise.”It’s really sad. I know there’s so much demand and not enough people, what can you do, you know?” Kathy Guenbeur said.”I think the timing seems strange given the rising number in the COVID pandemic, I think, and hospitals filling up with patients. I think it’s not good timing,” Pat Dunn said.No one from Advocate Aurora was available for an interview Thursday, but earlier this week, a hospital official gave a hint as to how the company was addressing its staffing shortage.”We are able to make some moves as needed. We are able to shift staff. We are able to pull in different individuals to help,” Advocate Aurora Chief Nursing Officer Mary Beth Kingston said.Now they’ve taken another step, telling WISN 12 News that “to help keep our patients, visitors and team members safe, we re-implemented a no-visitor policy.”They will make some exceptions, but the policy takes effect immediately.WISN 12 News checked with other area hospital systems. Ascension Health said it is in the process of “updating our visitor policy.”Froedtert, which WISN 12 News reported earlier this week is delaying some non-emergency surgical procedures, said it “will continue to make decisions based on the safety and well-being of our patients, staff and community.” The three urgent care clinics have posted signs saying they will reopen Jan. 6, and are directing people to their other nearby clinics in the meantime.The no-visitor policy at their hospitals is in place indefinitely.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
The surge in COVID-19 cases is causing big changes for the area’s largest health provider.
Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin
Advocate Aurora has temporarily shut down three urgent care clinics and closed its hospitals to all visitors.
Health system officials said it is for the safety of patients and staff.
The COVID-19 surge and staffing shortages are why Advocate Aurora temporarily and abruptly closed its urgent care centers in Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, and downtown Milwaukee.
The move caught some outside those clinics Thursday by surprise.
“It’s really sad. I know there’s so much demand and not enough people, what can you do, you know?” Kathy Guenbeur said.
“I think the timing seems strange given the rising number in the COVID pandemic, I think, and hospitals filling up with patients. I think it’s not good timing,” Pat Dunn said.
No one from Advocate Aurora was available for an interview Thursday, but earlier this week, a hospital official gave a hint as to how the company was addressing its staffing shortage.
“We are able to make some moves as needed. We are able to shift staff. We are able to pull in different individuals to help,” Advocate Aurora Chief Nursing Officer Mary Beth Kingston said.
Now they’ve taken another step, telling WISN 12 News that “to help keep our patients, visitors and team members safe, we re-implemented a no-visitor policy.”
They will make some exceptions, but the policy takes effect immediately.
WISN 12 News checked with other area hospital systems.
Ascension Health said it is in the process of “updating our visitor policy.”
Froedtert, which WISN 12 News reported earlier this week is delaying some non-emergency surgical procedures, said it “will continue to make decisions based on the safety and well-being of our patients, staff and community.”
The three urgent care clinics have posted signs saying they will reopen Jan. 6, and are directing people to their other nearby clinics in the meantime.
The no-visitor policy at their hospitals is in place indefinitely.
Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISN
Get breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube