Clarification of New Policy on Faxing Reports

It has come to the Union’s attention that there is some confusion as to whether an oral report is required when patients are transferred from the ER to a general medical/surgical floor. The new policy still permits the ER nurse to fax a report. However, he/she must speak to a nurse on the receiving unit and answer any questions about the report before sending the patient.

Nurse/Patient Ratio Violations

The Union has been inundated with documentation of nurse/patient ratio violations over the past several weeks. We have filed a class action grievance on behalf of six units in Med/Surg and MCH and will insist that the Administration promptly address the problem.

Contractually Mandated Joint Committees

The new contract provides for the reincarnation of the Staff/Management Committee and the creation of an ad hoc Break Task Force. Each committee will meet on work time and will consist of an equal number of union and management representatives.

The Staff/Management Committee will make recommendations concerning the improvement of patient care, RN recruitment and retention, staffing issues, and anything else the committee deems appropriate. The first meeting is scheduled for November 15th. We are still seeking alternates to serve on this

committee. If you are a problem solver and are interested in participating, please contact the Union office. The Break Task Force is responsible for reviewing the obstacles that prevent nurses from taking their breaks and making recommendations to overcome those obstacles. This committee’s first meeting is November 30th.

Monitor Techs

In an effort to improve patient safety, better utilize staff RN resources and lay to rest a longstanding class action grievance, the contract now allows techs to be hired to watch monitors for all telemetry beds. In addition, the Hospital plans to have each intermediate/telemetry nurse carry a StatView pager, which will be connected only to her/his own patients. This new system should be in effect by the end of the year.

Open Enrollment

Once you are enrolled in one of the health insurance plans, you can change plans only during open enrollment. Exceptions are made for major life events, such as marriage, birth or adoption. Open enrollment is from November 20th to December 1st. If you are on the 80% (Oxford Hi) plan, you may want to consider switching to the RN Base Plan. In contrast to the 80% plan, the RN base plan has no co-pay on the health insurance premium, lower co-pays on name brand prescriptions, and only a $10 co-pay on office visits. In addition, there is no $100 co-pay for in-network outpatient surgical services provided outside of LHH/MEETH.

GNYHA Survey of Registered Nurses

The Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) is asking RNs for 15 minutes of their time to complete a survey that will be used to lobby for immediate action to address the nursing crisis at the state and federal level. Staff RNs know better than anyone else what is needed to eliminate the nursing shortage. Make your voice heard! You can complete the survey by going online to http://nursing.sur-sys.com/. For a paper version, contact Eileen Rowland or the NYPNU office.