Please Tell Us If You Are Contacting Legislators/ANA, etc. Re: Nursing Concerns

I am certain the legislative ears are out there listening to us so please continue to post your letters and emails to them. I could not help but notice that nothing was mentioned in my letter re: Staffing issues. I am convinced that until the legislation steps in with restrictions and mandates, that our employers will continue the present staffing trends. I will reply with a thanks for the concern re managed care and mention that we are still concerned about staffing and patient safety within health care facilities. Hopefully, you will all continue with your efforts. Thanks!

Hello! It's been a while since my last post, sorry. For those concerned with short-staffing, be aware that if you live in Calif., there is a state assembly bill - AB394- that is written to specifically deal with placing appropriate staffing standards into law. It would help eliminate your administration's ability to work around the existing staffing rules. Please call the author of the bill, Sheila Kuehl at 916-319-2041, or write her at State Capitol,PO Box 942849, Room 3013, Sacramento, Ca. 94249-0001. This is a constructive thing we can do to work within the framework of the established system, instead of just discussing anecdotes (although this is healthy to vent!). As for errors that are made in relation to short-staffing, keep DOCUMENTING! Report any sentinel events to your Performance Improvement Chairperson. Remember, the Dept. of Health and that JCAHO needs to know about these issues, and the more reports and "squeaky wheels' they hear from , the better. Sophie

[This message has been edited by Sophie (edited May 01, 1999).]

I emailed my senators and governor of Mississippi this past weekend. I am anxiously waiting for a reply. I enclosed a link to this board and a copy of the proposed California bill. I will keep everyone posted... Lets not give up!

Hi all, For those I have not yacked at, I did get a reply to my letter to the admin. He totally avoided the staffing issue. I am in the process of typing it into word so I can share it with you all. I also have started circulating the Calif. bill around two facilities here in KC. I am collecting signatures on them and will foreward them to the senators when we get enough signatures. Just an update on what I am up to.... gotta run!!

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Cyn...stiring the mix

Hey Rae, thanks for the post. There are ways to deal with these issues. Legislation is just one of them. We are in the midst of starting a column that will be published on a web type magazine forum. Your story is one of many that we will relate to the people that come. It is at www.hospitalhub.com. If you wish to submit an article with more detail? Let either me or Barton know. We started out as a small group of concerned nurses, but our numbers are increasing almost daily! Welcome aboard!

I just found this subject. I live in Arizona. I have never had to work under such dangerous, unsafe conditions in my nursing career. Med-surg nurses are taking 7-8 pts with no ancillary help, Telemetry takes 5-6, ICU takes 3 often times 2 vent pts, PACU is holding pts for hours to get a bed, ER takes 5-7 high acuity pts waiting for beds, and in all areas the norm is for the Charge nurse to take pts also. Infection rates are increasing, falls are on the rise, bedsores are developing. I will join the ranks of writing to legislators, but unfortunately with Arizona being a right to work state, I'm afraid it will fall on deaf ears. Hospital administration does not have to have a reason to fire and in the past when someone has tried to be pro-active, the hospital has "found" reasons to terminate. Administration is blind to the fact that there is a nursing shortage and will continue to fire and hire those who will not rock the boat(hiring by making special offers to sign-on). Our population in the Phoenix area is largely elderly. I know that the AARP are strong lobbyests and will probably be my first contact to make them aware of the unsafe conditions in this areas hospitals.

While its nice to call your representatives and our nursing organizations, I don't think its going to help. Only a cry from the public will do any good. They only listen when their next election is on the line. Lets put them on the spot. There is a site set up just for stories to be told. Visit www.geocities.com/hotsprings/oasis/4313.