The union representing registered nurses at HCA Healthcare's Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, Calif., accused management of violating the state's safe staffing law by neglecting to consider patient acuity.
The California Nurses Association, which represents more than 900 RNs at the facility, alleged that, despite RNs filing more than 100 forms documenting unsafe staffing and missed meal and rest breaks, the hospital continues to disregard union members' input in staffing decisions.
California's Title 22 staffing regulations require specific nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals based on unit type and mandate adjustments based on patient acuity. The regulations also ensure shift breaks and rest periods for nursing staff.
"It is critical that RNs have input in how staffing is done at the hospital to ensure the safety of patients," Stephanie Landry, RN, said in a union news release. "When patients are very sick, they require more care, and that means more nurses. Understaffing is a dangerous practice and undermines nurses' ability to provide proper care based on our patients' acuity."
A Good Samaritan Hospital spokesperson shared the following statement with Becker's: "Facts matter, especially in healthcare. We fully appreciate the incredible work our nurses do, so it's disappointing that their union leadership chooses to misrepresent the care they provide.
"To be clear, Good Samaritan Hospital is 100% compliant with Title 22 requirements, has added 83 nurses in 2024, reduced turnover by nearly 6.5% and annually is among America's Best 100 Hospitals by Healthgrades. Our hospital, our nurses and our physicians are here every hour of every day to care for our community."