NNU Urges Public Support for DC Patient Protection Act

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Saying “There is a patient care crisis in DC’s hospitals,” National Nurses United (NNU) has launched an email campaign to pass the Patient Protection Act (Patient Protection Act Proposed for DC Hospitals 2/5/2013 UC) in DC. “Nurses are increasingly put into impossible situations by hospital managers who demand they care for more patients than is safe,” said Rajini Raj (at right in red between the banners), a registered nurse at Washington Hospital Center and a member of NNU. “They refuse to ensure that there are enough nurses at the bedside to provide the quality care that patients deserve.” A survey conducted this past fall of nurses who work in every DC hospital revealed widespread alarm over inadequate staffing that puts patients at risk. 57 percent of nurses say staffing is always or often inadequate; 64 percent say they have less time to care for their patients; and 60 percent say changes in their workload have led to worse outcomes for patients. 87 percent of nurses say that mandatory ratios, such as those in California, are needed in DC. “Please take action now by sending an email urging the DC Council and Mayor to pass the Patient Protection Act,” added Raj. - photo: NNU and DCNA participate in the DC Emancipation Day Parade on April 16; photo courtesy NNU