RNs at Palmetto General Hospital to protest new hospital ownership’s cuts impacting hospital operations

Registered nurses at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fla., will hold a rally on Friday, April 4, to highlight mistreatment of nurses and management’s refusal to listen to their patient safety concerns, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU).

“We’re rallying outside because HSA is not listening to us inside,” said Lazaro Garcia, RN in the critical care unit at Palmetto General. “Nurses are dealing with dangerous care conditions for our patients while our benefits and working conditions are under attack.”

Who:    Nurses from Palmetto General Hospital

What:   Rally for respect and patient safety

When:  Friday, April 4, 8 a.m.

Where: Palmetto General Hospital, 2001 W. 68th St., Hialeah, Fla.; at the 68th St. entrance at the corner of 68th St. and NW 79th Ave.

Since taking ownership last year, Healthcare Systems of America (HSA) has reduced staff benefits, made frequent payroll errors, and failed to safely staff and supply the hospital, leading to high turnover and risks to patient safety. Critical care RNs filled out five Assignment Despite Objection forms in March to document dangerous work assignments, including a lack of staff to monitor patients who needed it.

HSA is also attempting to eliminate a negotiated agreement with nurses and their union that could result in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars annually for many nurses. Nurses say broken promises will only worsen staffing at their hospital.

NNOC/NNU represents more than 500 registered nurses at Palmetto General Hospital.