A night in hell at short-staffed, ready-to-close Beth Israel Hospital

BY BENNETT KREMEN | Early one morning a month ago, a sudden infection springs up on my toe, a severe danger to me long a diabetic. And I rush for treatment, have the wound abraded, get shot up with antibiotics, before hurrying to see a vascular surgeon. And, yes, an artery’s blocked.

“You’ll need an operation right away,” Dr. Grossi warns, handing me a prescription for presenting next day at noon at Beth Israel’s emergency room. Just entering that room, I know I’m in trouble. The place is insanely jammed!…