Safe Nurse Staffing and Healthcare Worker Training Highlight Purple Day in Olympia
“Our staffing levels have deteriorated over the last five years. We had
a patient fall out of bed recently, pulling out her Foley and IV
catheters. This happened because staff was consumed with admitting an
unstable patient,” said Darla Saville, RN, Harborview. “Our
legislators need to hear these stories.”
“I explained that when I am alone as a PCA on a unit it puts pressure
on the RNs to help do the work of aides instead of the other way
around,” said Annette Johnson, PCA, Good Samaritan. “That short staffs
the RNs.”
“I told them how it feels to leave work in the evening knowing that I
haven’t had the time to give my patients the care they needed,” said
Margaret McComb, RN, Highline Medical Center. “We can make a
difference -- face to face conversations with legislators matter.”
What's your story about short staffing? Tell us.
270 Americans die every day from medical errors. But research shows
that many of these deaths could be prevented with better nurse staffing
levels. 150 nurses and other healthcare workers from our union met
with more than 75 legislators in Olympia on Monday, January 21, to
share our stories and to impress upon our legislators the need to pass
nurse staffing legislation.
We also advocated for a training fund for current healthcare workers.
Governor Gregoire has already put $3 million in her budget to fund our
labor-management training partnerships.
Check out pictures of SEIU 1199NW members lobbying for patient safety. And if you've got some photos, you can add your own!
Other items on our 2008 legislative agenda (session ends March 14):
Healthcare reform:Safe nurse staffing (
HB 3123/SB 6734)
Training for current health care workers ($3 million budget item)
Prescription privacy (Senate Bill 6241/House Bill 2664): Prescription
drug companies can legally buy doctors’ prescription records. Many
doctors report being subsequently harassed by salesman who push them to
change what drugs they prescribe.
Insurance rate accountability (SB 5261/HB 1234): this law would give
the State Insurance Commissioner greater ability to prevent price
gouging by insurers.
Housing and Homelessness:
Housing Trust Fund: Patients without homes do much more poorly than
ones with safe housing and require more expensive interventions. We
have joined a coalition to urge a greater state investment in housing. ($100 million budget item)
Tax fairness:
Working Families Tax Credit (SB 6809/HB pending): Families who receive
a federal Earned income tax Credit (EITC) would receive an additional
10% from the state of Washington. Because of our over-reliance on the
sales tax, working families in Washington pay more than they do in
other states compared to wealthy families.
Find out more about the Working Families Tax Credit 