Home / Health / Hospital Staff Allege Safety Gaps After Policy Shift
Hospital Staff Allege Safety Gaps After Policy Shift
2 Sep
Summary
- New policy limits licensed nursing assistants from patient observation duties.
- Staff worry remote monitoring is inadequate for certain patient needs.
- Unions sent a cease and desist letter regarding the policy changes.
In June, UVM Medical Center enacted a new policy altering how staff oversee patients at risk of self-harm or harm to others while hospitalized. The policy limits the role of clinical patient safety attendants (CPSAs), often filled by licensed nursing assistants (LNAs), in patient observation.
This shift is intended to keep LNAs focused on direct patient care needs. However, staff express apprehension that the reduction in available CPSAs creates safety deficiencies. Concerns are particularly high for patients with conditions like psychosis or dementia, where remote monitoring may worsen their paranoia and confusion.
Labor unions representing support staff sent a cease and desist letter on August 20, requesting a pause on the policy changes. They argue the new procedures impede ongoing contract negotiations and have led to units being short-staffed when LNAs are diverted.
The UVM Health network is implementing these operational changes amid significant financial challenges, projecting substantial losses for the upcoming fiscal year. Despite these pressures, the hospital asserts that patient safety remains paramount and that staffing adjustments are within their contractual authority.
