Nurses at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital picketed Wednesday to draw attention to what they deem are patient care problems.
The nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, claim patient care problems exist in various areas of the hospital, such as the operating room, post-surgical units and the neonatal intensive care unit, and allege various incidents of understaffing, the union said via news release.
The MNA estimates about 400 Brigham and Women's nurses and supporters participated in the picket, while the hospital estimates about 150 people participated.
In response to the picket, which is unrelated to the workers' contract agreement, Brigham and Women's expressed disappointment, but told Becker's, "it is their right."
"Brigham and Women's Hospital values our nurses and their incredible contributions to patient care, educating the next generation of nurses and other healthcare professionals, research and community outreach," the hospital added.
The hospital also pointed to part of its website giving the organization's views on issues the union raised. As far as allegations of unsafe patient care and understaffing, the hospital said on its website, "There have not been unsafe patient care situations related to staffing" and that is "determine[s] the number of nurses needed to care for each patient based on acuity."
More information on the union's positions is available here. More information on the hospital's positions is available here.
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