7/31/2019 Letter from Ontario Nurses' Association to Sault Area Hospital re: emergency dept. recommendations

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June 29, 2012

Mr. Ron Gagnonand

Ms. Johanne Messier Mann

Sent via e-mail

Dear Mr. Gagnon and Ms. Messier Mann:

Re: Moving Forward with the IACs Recommendations re. Sault Area Hospitals ER

I am writing regarding the deep concern of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) about thedelay of Sault Area Hospital (SAH) in moving forward with the top-three priorities of the Ontario

Nurses Association (ONA) flowing from the 35 recommendations made by the IndependentAssessment Committee (IAC) for improving patient care in the emergency department.

As you are aware, the composition of the IAC panel of nursing experts was approved by bothSAH and ONA. SAH and ONA representatives met on June 20th to review the expertrecommendations. ONA is committed to its role as an advocate for our members and throughthem, for safe, quality and ethical patient care, and wishes to see SAH move forward with themost vital of the IACs recommendations.

The key issue for the emergency nurses and the key recommendations by the IAC concernedincreased staffing. To claim to be implementing the majority of recommendations and ignoringtwo of the three main recommendations for staffing demonstrates a lack of respect for the RNs

working for the Sault Ste. Marie community at large and the RNs working in the ER specifically.It also demonstrates that SAH management does not value or support the IAC panel of nursingexperts opinion.

You are well aware of the three priority recommendations regarding the ER RNs workloads:

1. Ensure that the baseline RN staffing complement is addressed by adding one RN mid-shift (from 1200 to 2400 h) in the emergency department (ER) and assign this RN as afloat to see and treat and/or reassignment to the triage zone;

2. Appoint the educator to the ER on a full-time basis. Should this not be possible, theeducator should be assigned to the department on a full-time basis until thedepartments Nurse Manager has been recruited and in place for six months. Thereafter,

SAH must ensure the educator is available to the department on a clearly defined basisand to focus on practice and education issues, including the implementation of medicaldirectives, clinical practice issues and the integration of newly hired ER RNs. ONAunderstands that the local parties are working on implementing this initiative on atemporary basis, and congratulate SAH on moving forward.; however, we must cautionthat our priority remains a permanent, full-time ER educator.

3. Implement a unit aide position in the ER on a 24/7 basis.

7/31/2019 Letter from Ontario Nurses' Association to Sault Area Hospital re: emergency dept. recommendations

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Ron Gagnon and Joanne Messier Mann Page 2June 29, 2012

The failure of SAH to implement these vital recommendations in a timely manner will force ONAto take further action. Safe, quality and ethical patient care and a tolerable workplace whereRNs can fulfill their roles and responsibilities as front-line caregivers, as required by the College

of Nurses of Ontario, is our priority and should be that of SAH management as well. Ourpatients deserve no less.

We note that the recent issue ofVITAL LINKS, SAHs staff newsletter, details the achievementof the hospitals $2.2-million operating surplus; this is extremely laudable and negates anyargument SAH may make that budget concerns prevent the recommendations from beingimplemented and to only move forward on a temporary full-time nurse educator.

While ONA does not wish to have to take this issue further and prefers to problem-solve withSAH directly, please be assured that the safe and quality care of our care of our ER patientsand the health of our members is our priority. I am therefore requesting that you implement thestaffing recommendations immediately.

Sincerely,

ONTARIO NURSES ASSOCIATION

Linda Haslam-Stroud, RNPresident

C.: Vanda Cooper, Critical Care Program DirectorMarie Paluzzi, COODerek Garniss, Chief of StaffHeather OBrien, Chief of StaffGlenda Hubley, ONA Local 46 Local CoordinatorSAH Board of DirectorsHon. Deb Matthews, Minister, Ministry of Health and Long-Term CareWallace Wiwichair, Interim Chair, Northeast LHINJo Anne Shannon, ONA Professional Practice OfficerDavid Cheslock, ONA Labour Relations Officer