RNs and health care workers take to the streets to denounce unsafe patient practices on Thursday, June 25 at 9 a.m.

Escondido, CA – Palomar Health RNs, health care workers, and community supporters will speak out on June 25 against the mismanagement of Palomar Health, announced California Nurses Association/Caregivers & Healthcare Employees Union (CNA/CHEU) today. The action will highlight their concerns, including lack of appropriate PPE and unsafe staffing due to illegal layoffs during a pandemic.

Who:  Palomar Health Registered Nurses and Caregivers and Healthcare Employees
What: RNs and health care workers take to the streets to denounce unsafe patient practices
Where:  Palomar Health Administration Building – 456 E. Grand Ave. Escondido, CA 92025
When: Thursday, June 25, 9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.

Palomar Health has received $15.1 million dollars from the CARES Act grant fund. However, Palomar Health CEO Diane Hansen has failed to make urgently needed improvements to address numerous patient care issues faced by frontline workers, including unsafe staffing. Understaffing and increased workloads is dangerous for patients. Palomar Health must comply with California’s mandatory RN-to-Patient staffing ratio law and labor law.

Nurses are not receiving proper break coverage and vital nursing support to address patient needs, 24/7. Studies have shown that meal and break coverage is vital to preventing nurse fatigue, which can compromise patient care and negatively affect nursing health and safety.

On May 11, Palomar Health RNs and health care workers held an action calling for the cancellation of Hansen’s contract, which expires in September. They also delivered a letter to the CEO, announcing the results of an employee survey: an overwhelming vote of no confidence in her leadership.

On June 12, by a 4–3 vote Palomar Health board members decided not to terminate Hansen’s contract. The majority, all frontline workers themselves (two doctors, a nurse, and a firefighter), ignored the nurses and health care workers’ demand to cancel Hansen’s contract. Palomar Health RNs and health care workers say the board turned their backs on their fellow frontline workers.