The nurses claim short staffing at the hospital — particularly in the critical care unit and the perinatal department — has lead to nurses being requested to work 16-hour shifts or skip meals and breaks.
According to the nurses, the labor and delivery unit lost 24 experienced nurses in the past year and only one third of the positions have been filled, all with new graduates.
To address the patient safety issues that arise from being short staffed, the Watsonville nurses urged the city council to support their demand that the hospital restore safe staffing levels, resume accepting nurses’ documentation of unsafe patient care conditions and agree to fair and safe contracts with the nurses.
Watsonville Community Hospital did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
More articles on patient safety:
5 resources for Patient Safety Awareness Week
Phoebe Putney addresses patient safety with auto industry-inspired initiative
3 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award winners announced
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
