Medical staffers at Providence St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica are protesting the hospital Friday for suspending nurses who wouldn’t work around COVID-19 patients due to a lack of personal protective gear like N95 masks.
At least 10 nurses were suspended after refusing to treat COVID-19 patients because they didn't have the proper equipment, according to various media reports.
The 10 registered nurses were suspended with pay for two weeks. The hospital is conducting an investigation.
Suspended nurses and some staff picketed Friday morning outside the hospital.
The hospital, meanwhile, has declined to comment on the matter, citing privacy laws, according to a Thursday LA Times story.