Mount Sinai says no patients died during nurses' strike

Mount Sinai officials refuted claims that patients died after the Jan. 12 nurses' strike, saying more than 1,400 replacement nurses staffed hospitals and the city Department of Health reported no record of any such death.

Mount Sinai officials on Sunday refuted claims that patients died as a result of a nurses' strike that began on Jan. 12. They said more than 1,400 trained replacement nurses stepped in after about 15,000 union nurses walked off the job. Hospital systems involved said they continued to perform complex procedures and to deliver babies at roughly the same rate. The city Department of Health said it had no record of any death linked to the strike. Known details: - Mount Sinai stated its planning allowed hospitals to continue providing care, including the most complex cases. - Hospital officials said more than 1,400 replacement nurses staffed facilities after roughly 15,000 union nurses walked out on Jan. 12. - The city Department of Health reported it had no record of a death tied to the strike and said it would continue to review reported adverse events and conduct investigations as necessary. - The New York State Nurses Association said it was not claiming any deaths directly resulted from the strike and noted union members do not have direct knowledge of conditions inside hospitals while on the picket line. - Hospital networks including Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian reported they continued transplants, cardiac surgeries and other high-level procedures; Montefiore separately accused NYSNA leadership of seeking protections for members found to be impaired on the job. Summary: The statements from hospitals and health officials were released to counter claims that the strike led to patient deaths and to describe ongoing operations. The Department of Health will continue reviewing reported events and conducting investigations as needed, and the strike is ongoing; Undetermined at this time.