Union workers at North Providence, R.I.-based Our Lady of Fatima Hospital are accusing hospital officials of refusing to provide requested information regarding the results of The Joint Commission's accreditation review of the hospital last fall, according to a Rhode Island Public Radio report.
Here are seven things to know.
1. The United Nurses and Allied Professionals Union Local 5110 filed a complaint March 27 with the National Relations Review Board against Prospect CharterCare.
2. The complaint alleges the union in January requested results of The Joint Commission accreditation review and "any documents related to the deficiencies uncovered."
3. Christopher Callaci, general counsel for UNAP, told Rhode Island Public Radio there were 30 deficiencies initially found at the hospital during the review, and corrections were required for reaccreditation.
4. The complaint notes an outside firm conducted a study before the review. According to the report, Mr. Callaci said the firm found contaminated and damaged surgical instruments.
"We've been trying to get information about what the deficiencies were because we believe that the employees, but more importantly the public, need to know what the deficiencies are," he told Rhode Island Public Radio. "And, of course, the million dollar question in our view is: what are they hiding?"
5. In a statement provided to Becker's Hospital Review, Prospect CharterCare's parent, Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings, questioned why the union should be given access to "purely internal documents."
"We will be appealing their decision and remain confident that the ruling will be overturned," the statement reads.
6. In its statement, Prospect Medical Holdings also pointed out Fatima Hospital received reaccreditation last year. PMH said: "You simply cannot achieve this accreditation if you don't have the highest standards of quality in place."
7. The NLRB tentatively scheduled a hearing for July 24 in Providence.
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