The pressing problems of nurse and bed shortages that force many Albertans to wait too long for care, are still there today, says United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith.
“Removing Stephen Duckett is not going to somehow magically repair our health system,” she said.
Heather Smith and Director of Labour Relations David Harrigan met today with Alberta Health Services to discuss the new plan to respond to urgent pressure in emergency departments.
AHS has identified a list of “triggers” which will activate a new “push” response (surge protocols). The push is not limited to moving patients out of emergency departments to other nursing units, currently called “overcapacity” (eg. hallways, three people in a two-bed room) but can also result in transfers to continuing care sites, creating overcapacity placement in those facilities as well. Home care is also expected to provide rapid activation of services.
“Unless appropriate staffing and support is provided in each and every environment, we are simply shoving the problem out of the emergency departments and hiding it across the continuum,” Heather Smith says.
“We don’t agree with 'pushing' more patients in to overcrowded or inappropriate beds or conditions. This is like the Tokyo subway system where they hire big men with white gloves to push more people into train cars. It is just that wrong,” says Heather Smith.
Nurses note that real expansion of capacity, opening significant numbers of beds and ending the constant squeeze and reduction of our public health system, is the only real solution to the problems.
“We’ve got to expand the health workforce, you can build buildings and buy beds, but if you can’t staff them, you’re never going to deal with the real emergency issue.”
“It really is past the point of just trying to do more with what we already have,” Heather Smith says.
Locals must ask detailed questions about new AHS plan
AHS says the plan to address urgent pressures will be worked out on a local basis by December 20th. AHS told UNA nurses will be consulted. Nurses should ask specific questions about staffing implications:
What are the “triggers” specific to your site or program? Will more regular beds (not overcapacity spots) be opened?
What authority will nurses have to call in additional staff to maintain safety?
This urgent pressure plan will be implemented in acute care, and also in long-term care (including assisted living) and even home care. The new plan will also “push” fast-track discharged patients into overcapacity beds in community or home settings. Home care and long-term care Locals should be asking these same questions. Will staffing be increased to maintain patient safety?
Overcapacity Protocol – even more load on nurses?
“Overcapacity Protocol (OCP) involves placing patients in spaces that are not regular inpatient rooms or care spaces and extending the nurse-to-patient ratio, usually using the existing nursing complement.”
– From a briefing document, Peak Pressure in the Health System, which was presented at the AHS Friday Nov. 19, 2010. AHS told UNA this OCP definition was NOT specifically discussed. Nurses should be sure to ask if this is what the local protocol involves. |
