Healthcare facilities in California have been required to adhere to mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios since 2004. These ratios vary depending upon the degree of patient care involved. More recently, Massachusetts passed a law requiring mandatory staffing minimums in the state’s ICU’s. Other states are considering jumping on the bandwagon. A California-like bill is currently pending in
workplace policies
Is Your Institution Doing Enough to Reduce Disruptive Physician Behavior?
Disruptive physicians are staple characters on television shows about the medical field. Some of the most recent T.V. doctors of this vein that come to mind are Dr. Gregory House of House and Dr. Perry Cox of Scrubs. While Dr. House and Dr. Cox present entertaining caricatures of disruptive physician behavior (“DPB”), in “real life”…
The Joint Commission Issues Seven New Workplace Violence Prevention Recommendations
Many healthcare workers experience violence in the workplace often resulting from violent behavior by their patients, clients and/or residents. What can healthcare organizations do to improve safety and minimize the risk of workplace violence?
In an effort to help healthcare organizations better prevent and address violence in the workplace, The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest…
“Vaccinate” Your Mandatory Flu Shot Policies Against Litigation
As we have just survived one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory, now is a good time to consider whether you should implement or revise a mandatory flu shot policy for 2018. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all United States healthcare workers obtain annual flu vaccines. While many healthcare employers…
#TimesUp for the Healthcare Industry? Not If You Use the Frenzy to Make Meaningful Culture Change
As #MeToo and #TimesUp initiatives sweep the nation, the healthcare industry should pay attention.
Recent nationwide media attention on sexual harassment in healthcare, coupled with stressful work environments, means healthcare employers have their share of workplace issues. However, healthcare employers have a unique opportunity to make meaningful culture change happen now – both in the…
No Race Discrimination in Termination for Circulating E-mail Critical of President, Federal Court Finds
A white nurse failed to establish that her termination for circulating an e-mail critical of President Obama occurred because of her race, a federal appeals court has found, affirming summary judgment for the employer. DeCarolis v. Presbyterian Medical Center of the Univ. of Pennsylvania Health System, d/b/a Penn Presbyterian Med. Ctr., No. 12-3647 (3…
New York State Extends Prohibition Of Smoking To Outdoor Areas Around Healthcare Facilities
A new law has taken effect in New York State prohibiting smoking within 15 feet of a hospital or residential health care facility entrance or exit. The law specifically permits smoking by “a patient or a visitor or guest of a patient of a residential health care facility” in a specially designated area on the…