THE FREEDOM TO FORM A UNION

This summer, thousands of union members will take part in the AFL-CIO Voice@Work Campaign’s National Workplace Week of Action, June 28-July 4. The campaign highlights a worker’s right to form unions and bargain collectively.

During the Week of Action, union members and activists will mobilize their co-workers to urge presidential candidates to support workers’ rights; build support for the Employee Free Choice Act, which would clear many of the unfair obstacles workers face when they try to join unions; and learn more about the anti-union tactics workers face. For more information about the event and how you can get involved, visit the Voice@Work Web site at www.aflcio.org/aboutunions/voiceatwork.

ONE OUT OF THREE AMERICANS UNINSURED IN 2002-2003

Nearly 82 million Americans—one out of three people under 65 years of age—were uninsured at some point during 2002-2003, according to the health consumer organization Families USA. The report, based mainly on Census Bureau data, showed that most of these uninsured individuals lacked coverage for long periods: Almost two-thirds (65.3 percent) were uninsured for six months or more; and more than half (50.6 percent) were uninsured for at least nine months. In 14 states,  more than one out of three people went without health insurance for all or part of 2002-2003. For a copy of the report or for state fact sheets, visit www.familiesusa.org.

EMPLOYERS PASS ALONG RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS

rather than dramatic health benefit overhauls, most employers have made modest changes by shifting costs to workers through larger premium contributions or higher out-of-pocket costs to fill prescriptions or see a doctor, according to a recent study by the Center for Studying Health System Change.

Along with shifting costs to workers, some employers are promoting public insurance as an alternate source of coverage for children of their low-income employees, and many reported modifying family coverage or planning to do so, using one of two strategies: changing relative premium subsidies between single and family coverage, and/or encouraging workers’ spouses to obtain coverage through their own employers.

Employers increased patient cost-sharing by passing on a larger share of premiums to workers or by increasing copayments, deductibles and coinsurance, where patients pay a percentage of the total cost of care instead of a fixed amount.

STUDY: HOSPITAL DESIGN IMPROVES HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES

a new analysis of more than 400 research studies by the Center for Health Design shows a direct link between patient health and quality of care and the way a hospital is designed. Researchers Roger Ulrich and Craig Zimring conducted the most extensive review ever done of the evidence-based approach to hospital design. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which financed the study, the findings can be used to make sure that the design of future hospitals be much more geared to promoting healing, not just providing treatment.

“Just as evidence-based medicine is revolutionizing healthcare treatment, evidence-based design is transforming the healthcare environment,” Zimring says. “We now have at our disposal proven architectural methods for improving patient outcomes, safety and satisfaction, as well as staff retention and service efficiency.”

The design of the hospital environment can create stress for patients, their families and staff. Poor air quality and ventilation, together with two or more patients in the same room, are major causes of hospital-acquired infection. Lack of a strong nursing presence can result in patient falls. Staff members often have to do their charting and fill medication orders in crowded, busy makeshift areas, which can lead to errors and increase burnout.

The researchers say evidence-based design can improve hospital environments in three key ways: enhancing patient safety by reducing infection risk, injuries from falls and medical errors; eliminating environmental stressors, such as noise, that harm outcomes and staff performance; and reducing stress and promoting healing by making hospitals more pleasant, comfortable and supportive for patients and staff alike.

Visit the Web site of the Center for Health Design at www.healthdesign.org.