Statement by Sandra Feldman,
President of the American Federation of Teachers/AFT Healthcare
 on the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Report on Nursing Shortage

The Joint Commission's report is simply a recitation of what we already know -- nurses care for too many patients under abysmal working conditions. Our nation's healthcare facilities need real reform, which first and foremost must include safe patient-to-nurse ratios. We call for sensible ratios that allow nurses to give patients the level of care they need; such ratios also would help to prevent costly or deadly mistakes or omissions.

A nationwide AFT Healthcare survey demonstrates that one in five registered nurses plans to leave the profession because of poor working conditions. The only way to eliminate the nursing shortage and improve patient care is to improve working conditions. There must be safe staffing levels so nurses can provide the best care possible without jeopardizing the lives of their patients.

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