Nurses make a difference

Higher staffing levels in hospitals--and, specifically, more RNs in the mix--means better patient outcomes, says a new study issued by the American Nurses Association (ANA). The study by the hospital and health care research organization Network Inc., released by the ANA in early May, shows that length of stay in the hospital, pneumonia contracted while in the hospital, postoperative infection, pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections contracted while in the hospital are all markedly decreased with higher levels of RN involvement in patient care. "Not only do patients fare better, but hospitals can actually save money by using highly skilled nurses in adequate numbers," said Mary Foley, MS, RN, president of the ANA. "It makes no sense for hospitals to cut RN staff or replace RNs with unlicensed assistive personnel who lack the education and judgment of RNs." When RN care is reduced, said Foley, patients suffer. For additional information on the nurse staffing study, contact Hope Hall at 202/651-7027 or go to www.nursingworld.org/rnrealnews (click on "press releases").

Ergonomic standard is a must

Sicker patients needing more care and physical assistance and increased patient loads for caregivers have resulted in entire units in some hospitals where all the nurses are literally the "walking wounded." That statement came from Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals president Katherine Schmidt testifying in the last round of hearings conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on its proposed ergonomics standard. "Chronic back pain is so common that a majority of nurses report going home with a sore back as often as once every one to two weeks," Schmidt told the April 27 hearing panel. Schmidt, who represents some 1,300 nurses, dental hygienists and health care technologists and technicians in Kaiser Permanente facilities in Oregon and Washington, was one of dozens of FNHP leaders and members to testify before OSHA hearing panels in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Portland, Ore. In the absence of an effective ergonomic standard--which the FNHP and other unions are supporting--the OFNHP has taken such measures as equipment replacements for members working on phones all day and ergonomic training programs for dental hygienists. "We are convinced that an ergonomics standard is essential to put into place an ongoing collaboration between health care workers and management to control exposure to ergonomic risk factors," said Schmidt.

Ready to retire?

If you're getting ready to retire, says chair of the AFT committee on retirement Patrick Daly, remember that your union membership has secured you lifelong membership as an AFT retiree. There are some 80 existing chapters and more than 150,000 retirees who are working on such issues as prescription drug costs, the strengthening of Social Security and Medicare, long-term care and laws in each of their states that affect a long, healthy and productive retirement, says Daly. The members of the FNHP retiree chapter of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, for instance, have committed themselves to working in voter registration, member mobilization and retirement education. Members from the retiree chapter of the Wisconsin FNHP have been working in local FNHP organizing campaigns. If your local doesn't already have a retiree chapter, why not start one? For more information, contact AFT retiree program director, Frank Stella, at 202/879-4526.