Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1348345
25 PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE Houston hospital lockout forces physicians to treat patients in parking lot By Ayla Ellison P hysicians arrived at Heights Hospital in Houston Jan. 19 to find the locks had been changed and they had no way of entering the facility. Instead of turn- ing patients away, some physicians tried to treat patients in the parking lot. Heights Hospital shut down aer its manage- ment failed to pay rent, according to a notice on the door of the building. "Please be advised that the door locks to the leased premises have been changed and tenant shall be excluded therefrom due to non-payment of rent," the note read, accord- ing to TV station KHOU. Some physicians, including Felicity Mack, MD, resorted to alternatives to treat patients. "I'm treating patients out in the parking lot so that at least we can get them some sort of care," Dr. Mack told KHOU. "But we really just want to be able to care for our patients." As of January, Dr. Mack was giving about 100 COVID-19 tests a day. Patients that come to the facility for lingering COVID-19 issues said they're concerned about where they'll receive care, according to CBS News. In 2017, AMD Global, a Houston-based real estate developer, purchased Heights Hospi- tal and created two companies to manage the medical center: 1917 Ashland Venture and 1917 Heights Hospital, according to the Houston Chronicle. e letter informing physicians and patients of the lockout was addressed to both entities. New keys will be given when past-due rent and fees are paid, the notice said, according to ABC 13. Heights Hospital hadn't reopened as of late February, but physicians were allowed to briefly enter the facility two at a time on Jan. 19 to get items, a physician told KHOU. Some physicians said they were exploring next steps if Heights Hospital remains closed. "It puts me in a real bind with my patients," John omas, MD, told ABC 13. "I current- ly have another building that I'm looking at leasing so I can see my patients." n Joint Commission issues pandemic alert on managing safety concerns of healthcare workers By Kelly Gooch T he Joint Commission issued a publication Feb. 2 on addressing concerns from health- care workers about the COVID-19 pandemic. The publication is based on more than 2,000 comments from healthcare workers, their loved ones and other community members. According to the comments, fear of the un- known, fear of getting sick and staff shortages are among the most common concerns from healthcare workers. The Joint Commission said the publication in- cludes recommendations for addressing these concerns, such as fostering transparent commu- nication and removing barriers to employees seeking mental health services. n 10 best paying locations for nurses By Gabrielle Masson T he median salary for registered nurses in the U.S. was $73,300 in 2019, according to U.S. News & World Report. The publication used median salary data for 2019 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here are the best paying cities for nurses: 1. San Jose, Calif.: $140,740 2. San Francisco: $138,000 3. Santa Cruz, Calif.: $134,000 4. Salinas, Calif.: $133,580 5. Vallejo, Calif.: $131,970 Here are the best paying states for nurses: 1. California: $113,240 2. Hawaii: $104,060 3. District of Columbia: $94,820 4. Massachusetts: $93,160 5. Oregon: $92,960 n