A recent survey by the Service Employees International Union found that 89% of nurses and health care workers surveyed HCA Healthcare Felt that their hospitals were understaffed as “compromising patient care”. Almost as many (83%) reported that their floors or units did not have the right level of staff. Findings in California were even more pronounced, with 96 percent of respondents agreeing that “staffing shortages at my hospital are affecting patient care.”
The survey was conducted from December 13 to January 10 Include responses More than 1,500 SEIU nurses and paramedics from HCA hospitals in California, Florida, Missouri, Kansas, Nevada and Texas.
Responding to the inquiry, HCA Healthcare Far West Division spokesman Antonio Castelan cited the organization’s actions to keep staff and patients safe At the same time, the union is accused of sowing divisions.
He pointed out that the health system Focus on retention; actively recruit to fill open positions; provide incentive compensation for nurses, like Bonuses in critical areas and critical times, especially during a Covid-19 surge; and an adequate supply of personal protective equipment.
“While all healthcare systems are facing a national shortage of care due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, our hospitals are committed to the highest levels of safety and adherence to government staffing regulations,” Castellan said in an email. “Our nurses and medical staff are heroes and have made countless personal sacrifices over the past two years to ensure the well-being of all of our communities. Our priority has always been to provide our patients with the care they need, and to ensure their health The appropriate level of care providers required.”
However, Castellan accused union leaders are Promote “Divisive and selfish propaganda at a time when everyone needs to work together to fight the coronavirus.”
But the SEIU said the HCA was unresponsive in addressing staffing issues to protect those caring for the sick.
“Frontline nurses and healthcare workers have been demanding solutions to HCA’s staffing shortage crisis (because) long before this pandemic,” Say Mary Kay Henry, President, SEIU International in a statement forwarded on behalf of“Time and time again, they’ve been a voice for patients at the negotiating table and on strike lines and in their communities.”
As the pandemic tests hospital capacity, the union said 68 percent of SEIU nurses and health care workers surveyed said their hospitals were not prepared for the next Covid-19 surge, and patient care will suffer. Many believe that staffing shortages are putting patients and clinicians at risk. Overall, 76% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the following statement: “I don’t think my institution’s leadership is doing enough to meet the needs of frontline nurses or health care workers like me.” 63% They feel compelled to find new jobs or occupations due to staffing shortages and burnout, the report said.
Some clinicians speak out publicly.
“As a respiratory therapist, I have seen firsthand the effects of Delta and Omicron variants on vaccinated and unvaccinated people,” said Zavia Norma, HCA-affiliated Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas at SEIU said in a statement. “Omicron’s high infection rate has us all worried about being able to get work done with a severe shortage of staff. It’s not sustainable.”
Hospital staffing shortages have been reported across the country, with many health systems further challenged by staff illnesses due to Covid-19. According to a November report, nearly all large hospitals continue to report difficulties obtaining adequate nurse coverage, and clinical staffing shortages persist even as hospital numbers dwindle. McKinsey & Company report. At the same time, employee burnout and resignations are rampant.
SEIU leaders put the onus on the health system to urgently address staffing shortages.
“The question is, when will for-profit healthcare companies like HCA finally put patients and healthcare workers first?” Henry said. “If not now, in this pandemic, then when?”
Photo: Pablo Hart, Getty Images
