WHITE PLAINS – Members of the New York State Nurses Association rallied in front of Westchester Medical Center Wednesday to highlight safe staffing issues the union says impact patient care.
Concerns at Westchester Medical Center include:
- Understaffing of trauma nurses who serve the emergency department and ambulances, which can cause emergency vehicles to handle transports without trauma nurses on board. Emergency vehicle transports serve 8 counties and almost 3.5 million residents
- Mandatory overtime
- Patients unable to get the attention they need and deserve
Good quality health care depends on a nurse being available to take care of the patient,” said Assemblyman Thomas Albinati, (D, 92), one of the lawmakers scheduled to speak at the rally.
Pending before the state legislature is the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act.
“I stand with NY Nurses,” said Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R, 99), a cosponsor of the legislation. “Happy to participate in a safe staffing bill rally with the New York State Nurses Association today at Westchester Medical Center.”
Hospital spokespersons were not available Wednesday afternoon for reaction to the Association concerns.
