WILKES-BARRE, PA - Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) cited Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for systemic violations related to inadequate staffing and an industry watchdog group gave the hospital a "C" for patient safety.
In response to a large packet of documented patient care and staffing concerns at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital (WBGH) submitted by registered nurses of the Wyoming Valley Nurses Association in July, PA DOH initiated an unannounced onsite investigation on September 10 that concluded September 14.
Per their report, the PA DOH found a "systemic nature of non-compliance with regards to nursing services" citing, among other evidence, that management "failed to schedule a sufficient number of RNs and/or ancillary staff on the nursing units for 81 of 148 shifts reviewed." The report found 91 open RN positions and reliance on an excessive use of overtime. (1)
Investigators cited WBGH for violations of nineteen state and federal health codes related to patient rights, staffing, and emergency services. The findings were based on interviews with at least 61 WBGH employees and multiple patients, as well as review of staffing grids, schedules, and selected medical records....
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital is owned by for-profit Community Health Systems based in Tennessee.
I'm only somewhat familiar with this area being about an hour away. The area is not metropolitan and this is a community hospital that has about 400 beds. I'm not sure how those openings correlate to size and others in the area.
Don't worry, the admins that started down this path to a hellish environment years ago probably got massive bonuses and moved up in the company ladder so they can do the same thing at a systemic level. The new managers probably were told to run it like it had been run by the higher ups that created the system. Don't worry, no one will go to jail, the higher ups get to keep their bonuses, and the middle managers will be replaced...
If an employer has job openings posted and is understaffed they can tell the state DOH that they would hire people, but no one is qualified to fill their positions, look at all the job openings we have open. Therefore, the legislature will put more money into nursing programs and create a nursing surplus to further drive down nursing wages. It's a win win for the hospitals and a lose lose for nurses. Admins aren't stupid and they don't have your best interest in mind.
CampyCamp, RN
259 Posts
I'm only somewhat familiar with this area being about an hour away. The area is not metropolitan and this is a community hospital that has about 400 beds. I'm not sure how those openings correlate to size and others in the area.