Nurses, advocates call for mandated patient care standards in Hawaii

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Nurses and advocates rallied at the state Capitol Thursday for the need to improve patient care and strengthen Hawaii’s health care system.

Representatives from Hawaii’s three major nurses unions — the Hawaii Nurses’ Association, Hawaii Nurses and Healthcare Professionals, and the United Nurses and Health Care Employees of Hawaii — were joined by legislators, and labor and community leaders.

Their call includes legislation aimed at ensuring safer staffing and enhancing patient safety and quality of care in hospitals.

State Rep. Sean Quinlan, House majority leader, says he’s introducing what’s called the Hawaii Safe Staffing Proposal, which would establish enforceable patient-to-nurse ratios, ensure transparency, and improve accountability in hospital staffing practices.

“Unfortunately, I know from my own experience in my life that nurses are such a critical part of any stay in a hospital, especially an extended stay, and I want to make sure that the public understands that this is not about the nurses. This is about the patients that they serve,” he said.

Advocates say Hawaii lacks vital protections, forcing health care workers to face systemic challenges that compromise patient outcomes.

Rosalee Agas-Yuu, RN, president of the Hawaii Nurses’ Association became emotional when talking about recent contact battles with Kapiolani Medical Center and The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, and now Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai.

“I’m listening to 140 nurses at Wilcox on Kauai fighting for the ratio, so please understand, this is important. We want it all equal across Hawaii,” Agas-Yuu said. “This is for the state of Hawaii. We shouldn’t have to fight like this at every battle. Every negotiation should be the same everywhere.”

Christian Fern, executive director, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) AFT Local 6625, said: “When our keiki or kupuna enter a hospital, we shouldn’t have to worry whether a nurse will be available to give them the attention they need for their recovery or to identify symptoms that require immediate intervention. That’s what we pay for. This law will sent a standard for all hospitals across our state and will ensure our ohana will receive quality care and ensure all of Hawaii’s valued nurses are treated fairly and equitably.”

The hospitals say patient safety is their top priority.

In a statement Tuesday, Wilcox Medical Center president and CEO Jen Chahanovich said in part: “Each medical center is different with its own support teams. Our Medical Surgical unit cares for a variety of conditions. That is why we are proposing to work together with our nurses to adjust staffing levels as needed through a staffing council using national standards.”

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