A lot of hospitals haven't been able to give many increases in recent years. That sort of provides the platform for disenchanted employees to reflect that through a strike. Nursing associates, technicians, and dietary and housekeeping workers also are more often taking to the picket lines, typically during or near contract negotiations. Letting doctors know Federal labor law requires unions to notify the hospital 10 days in advance of a strike, and hospitals are required to have contingency plans to minimize disruptions. Still, a strike often means limited personnel, so the hospital can provide only emergency services.
Hospitals get the word to physicians by bulletins and e-mail.
Elective procedures are postponed. Moving those procedures to other hospitals is often not an option, either, because nearby facilities are busy. And sometimes managed care organizations restrict the choice of facilities. You know what numbers to call and how to schedule things. And when there are shortages of ancillary personnel, doctors often have to discharge their patients sooner than they would like, Dr. Umekoubo said.