National Nurses United

NewsBriefs.REV_June REV 8/20/10 4:36 PM Page 10 WRAP-UP REPORT Maine registered nurses at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital have made guaranteed nurse-to-patient ratios a major feature of contract negotiations this year. Nurses and professional staff have been asking for provisions in the contract that would protect safe, effective, and therapeutic patient care and support the retention of experienced staff. RNs staged a candlelight vigil July 29 to educate the community about what's at stake in their talks. As cuts are made around the state, nurses believe patient care could be negatively impacted and want to get Maine Coast Memorial's commitment to safe staffing in writing. Research has shown that nurse to patient ratios reduce patient mortality rates, assure nurses more time to spend with patients, and promote the retention of experienced RNs. MCMH management has not agreed to these safety provisions, but has instead asked for wage cuts. MCMH has reported financial surpluses both on its website and in documents submitted to the state during the Certificate of Need process. MCMH has also been the Clockwise: RNs at Maine recipient of Coast Memorial Hospital federal stimulus hold candlelight vigil; funds. These cuts RN leaders in Texas conare not supportvene bargaining conferive of nurses and ence; Ohio RNs celebrate hospital profesMedicare's 45th birthday sionals who have continuously delivered high-quality care to the community. Minnesota some 1,350 nurses in Duluth, Minn. are still negotiating contracts at St. Mary's Duluth Clinic (SMDC) and St. Luke's Hospital. As of this writing, talks were at a critical juncture. Sticking points continue to be nurses' concerns for patient safety issues due to inadequate staffing. At SMDC, nearly 900 RN shifts were unfilled during a 30-day stretch. In medicalsurgical units at St. Luke's Hospital, nurses are responsible for up to 13 patients on some nights. Nurses are also demanding to include unit closure language secured in the Twin Cities during negotiations in 2001. Healthcare Stat of the Month 300% 16 The number of states restricting use of mandatory overtime The increase in risk of errors when a nurse works a shift lasting more than 12.5 hours, compared to a shift of up to 8.5 hours Sources: University of Pennsylvania 2004 study "The Working Hours of Hospital Staff Nurses and Patient Safety"; National Nurses United 10 N AT I O N A L N U R S E W W W. N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G Ohio in july, nnoc joined other healthcare justice activists in celebrating Medicare's 45th birthday in downtown Cleveland, complete with birthday cake, balloons, and speeches from elected officials. A special newsletter was produced for NNOC members about the growing attacks on Social Security and Medicare, linking these issues to nurses' worries about their retirement security—a big issue in Ohio. Texas nurse leaders in Texas say their numbers are not Texas-big yet, but they're getting there. The RN Strategy Group is now renamed the RN Bargaining Leadership Council, bringing together nurse leaders from five recently organized HCA hospitals, Tenet's Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center, and all the metropolitan committees. On July 30, the new Texas council met in Houston for the first time. The day before, the national HCA Bargaining Council also held its inaugural meeting. HCA nurses from Missouri, Kansas, Nevada, and California joined Texas nurses in Houston. RNs are also making statewide plans for expanded advocacy in anticipation of the 2011 legislative session. And two more Texas offices are ready to open in Brownsville and McAllen. —Staff Report J U LY | A U G U S T 2 0 1 0

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