Nurses at Mountainview Hospital in Las Vegas have a rally planned for Wednesday evening to protest a lack of preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mountainview is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the largest hospital chains in the U.S.
Demonstrations are also happening at HCA hospitals in six other states Wednesday and Thursday.
National Nurses United said it’s demanding HCA provide the optimal personal protective equipment for nurses and other staff, such as respirators and head-to-toe coverings.
The union’s president says nurses have reported they’ve been told to reuse masks or work without protective equipment altogether.
Mountainview CEO Jeremy Bradshow told Nevada Public Radio the hospital is following CDC protocols. "While others attempt to distract or scare us, we will remain committed to keeping focus on our employees and patients."
He added that the hospital has enacted universal masking for all employees; appointed a steward to oversee deployment of protective gear; expanded distribution areas on hospital campuses to distribute protective gear; and has enacted pandemic pay continuation programs.