Thousands of nurses will be joined by elected officials and community leaders outside 13 hospitals to participate in a day of protest sparked by reports that shed light on the horrendous conditions inside hospitals because of inadequate staffing to give patients the care they need and deserve.
The reports come from the compilation of almost 2500 official “Protests of Assignment” (POAs) signed by over 12,000 nurses from January to December of 2018. POAs are official complaints filed by nurses to highlight severe problems. The ones listed in the reports come from NY Presbyterian, Harlem’s Mt Sinai, and Montefiore.
Below are just a few of the thousands of mouth-dropping stories from the reports:
Health & Safety; Insufficient # of Staff & High Acuity: Pediatric ED understaffed such that there is more than a 3.5 to 6 hour wait time to see a provider, more than 20 patients holding in triage area, no RN screener, patients pulling out IV and multiple attempts to bite, kick, scratch, and punch staff. Census 68, only 6 RNs.
High Patient Acuity, Insufficient # Qualified Staff, Violation of Staffing Ratios: On NICU, we have 2 orientee RNs, and 2 CPAP baby, 4 CPAP babies with IV and ABTs, 3 babies with IV antibiotic and glucose checks every 3 hours. Our bed capacity is 35 and we are over with a census of 44. Only 3 RNs on duty. Parents need personal attention/education.
Insufficient # of Staff, High Acuity: Unit census was 21 at the start of shift with 2 admissions to be received. Now census is 26 with an additional 2 patients en route. A total of 11 admissions will be received on this shift. No CNAs on the floor. 1 ventilated patient, 2 with a trach, 1 on restraints, 3 isolations, multiple incontinent patients, 3 pressure ulcers, 1 blood transfusion, all call bells ringing but nurses are busy with admissions, over 20 patients on fall risk.
Health and Safety: Insufficient space, hallway patients, patients stacked in rows, unable to access patients in a timely manner, temp in ED 76 degrees on the west side, air conditioning not working on East side and area is very hot and uncomfortable, inadequate ventilation, unable to comply with appropriate infection control. Patients waiting days to get a bed and aggressive to staff.
The reports will be made public.
It is clear that something must be done including the passage of the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act that would ensure enough staffing to handle every patient.
A Day Of Protest
Registered nurses across NYC along with elected officials and community leaders
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Madison Ave between 99th and 100th Streets, New York, NY, 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
- St. Luke’s Hospital, Amsterdam Ave between 114th and 115th Streets, New York, NY, 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
For more information, please visit our website at www.nysna.org
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