Officials at Queen’s Health Systems have declared an internal state of emergency for its flagship hospital on Punchbowl Street in Honolulu due to rising numbers of patients and staffing shortages.
This follows an emergency declaration earlier this week at The Queen’s Medical Center-West Oʻahu.
The declaration sets off protocols designed to ease the strain on emergency rooms while ensuring proper levels of care for patients.
Queen’s Health Systems’ President and CEO Jill Hoggard Green says both Punchbowl and West Oʻahu facilities remain open.
She says more than 800 caregivers are unable to work because of COVID issues.
They brought in qualified traveling nurses and other community-based staff to deal with the shortfall, Hoggard said.
