The Department of Veterans Affairs says it is reducing the number of inpatient beds at its Albuquerque hospital by 20 percent due to a nationwide nursing shortage.
The department says the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center is limiting its inpatient beds to 120, down from 150.
The department says the reduction of the number of beds in multiple wards addresses concerns regarding patient safety and quality of care.
It also says the reduction will help boost morale and work satisfaction with the hospital's nursing staff. And it says that could help recruit high-quality candidates to fill vacant nursing positions.
According to the department, hiring more nurses will allow the bed count to return to previous levels.
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