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Nevada nurses call for mandates for patient staffing, hospitals warn of risks to services and access

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Nevada nurses call for mandates for patient staffing, hospitals warn of risks to services and access


LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Nevada nurses are asking lawmakers to require better staffing levels in crucial hospital units, while hospitals across the state warn of risks to services and access if mandates are in place.

Nurses in SEIU Local 1107 spoke before lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, calling for recommended staffing ratios to become state law in Senate Bill 182, following in the footsteps of California and Oregon.

The mandates would dictate nurse-to-patient ratios: how many patients a nurse can have during any given shift.

“I’ve worked shifts where I’ve had more [patients] than I thought was safe,” said Jodi Domineck, a nurse in the Las Vegas Valley who has done clinicals at different hospitals and represents nurses across the union with similar concerns. “When you have too many patients, we’re still held to that high standard for our license… and if something happens to your patient, it puts your license at risk, not only the patients’ safety,” she said.

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“There were times when nurses had 10 patients on certain units, and 10 patients with 60 minutes in an hour– that’s 6 minutes per patient,” Domineck said. In that short window, nurses may not be able to detect complications, instruct a patient on proper self-care or self-medication, or provide a moment of care or support, she said.

Numerous nurses also submitted testimony of their challenges on the job with a lack of staffing; advocates maintain that many nurses would return to the hospital bedside if there were better workplace standards.

The Nevada Hospital Association wrote a letter in opposition: “This legislation poses significant risks to our healthcare delivery system, burdens a variety of other healthcare providers, and, most importantly, threatens to harm access to care for Nevadans,” it read.

The state would need 1,498 nurses to meet the need for staffing mandates, according to Patrick Kelly of the Association. The bill doesn’t accommodate a sudden influx of patients, or unexpected scenarios, like patients suddenly going into labor.

“If all of a sudden, our nurses are at the maximum. you’re going to have to send that mother to another hospital, or they’re going to deliver in the emergency room — which is not a good alternative,” Kelly said.

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Jeanne Reeves, chief nursing officer at Summerlin Hospital, argues that Nevada colleges do not have enough graduates to fill the need.

“Summerlin provides the only pediatric oncology services in Las Vegas. To place ratios into effect could put those services in danger of either being limited, closing beds or closing the service,” she said.

Senator Nguyen sent FOX5 the following statement:

“Ensuring Nevadans have safe access to quality health care is critical. We will continue to work with stakeholders to advance legislation that finds balance while promoting the well-being of everyone.”

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Nye County Sheriff urges caution after deadly month on rural Nevada roads

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Nye County Sheriff urges caution after deadly month on rural Nevada roads


A string of deadly crashes in and around Pahrump has prompted Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill to push for more safety measures along dark, sidewalk-free roads.

“The worst penalty is death, if you consider that,” McGill said.

The recent deaths include a single-vehicle rollover on State Route 160 during the morning hours of the last Wednesday in January that killed one person and injured another.

Then, into February, two pedestrians were killed in less than three days.

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The first was a 7 p.m. crash on Quarter Horse Avenue. Investigators believe a 2006 Jeep Liberty was driving on the street when it hit a pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A few days later, this last Saturday, state troopers responded to a crash just after sundown at Charleston Park Avenue. A sedan hit a pedestrian, who was also pronounced dead at the scene.

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Nevada State Police investigators are still investigating both pedestrian cases before more details are released.

McGill said the recent crashes were enough to spur action.

“When the third one came out, I was sitting at home and watching TV. I looked at my wife and I said, ‘We got to do something about this,’” McGill said.

McGill is responding with a reflective vest giveaway, pointing to limited infrastructure as a possible factor. He noted a lack of street lights off State Route 160 and no sidewalks inside the community.

“The only light that you have is the ambient light from houses and cars so it is really dark,” McGill said.

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John Treanor of AAA Nevada said poor visibility can quickly turn dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.

“It is very easy to be confronted with a situation that you cannot see coming because the visibility might be bad,” Treanor said.

Treanor encouraged pedestrians to carry lights and drivers to be prepared if they end up outside their vehicles in dark conditions.

“Having lights on you. Even carrying a flashlight allows something where a driver can see it,” Treanor said. “If you are a driver, make sure you have the right stuff in your car, in case you do get in a situation where you are on the side of the road and now you are in dark. Make sure you have a kit with some reflectors, some lights. Anything the trunk of your car in case you need it.”

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McGill said vigilance is important even in daylight.

“Any time of the day, you have got to be vigilant. You have to keep aware of your surroundings if you are a walker or on a bicycle or if you are the driver,” he said.

Authorities also urged caution as more people may pull off roads in rocky areas along the route toward Death Valley National Park during springtime blooms, increasing the need for drivers and pedestrians to stay alert.

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Mansion on the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe Swiftly Sells for $46 Million

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Mansion on the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe Swiftly Sells for  Million


A waterfront mansion on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe just sold for $46 million, less than three weeks after hitting the market. 

The speedy deal marks a departure from the typical U.S. market.

Nationwide, homes took a median 78 days to land a buyer in January, five more than the same time last year and the 22nd straight month of homes taking longer to sell on a year-over-year basis, according to data from Realtor.com. 

Mansion Global Boutique: Book Lovers Rejoice: 8 Must-Haves To Build Your Perfect Reading Nook

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The lavish log cabin-like residence, in Incline Village, listed on Jan. 24 for $47.5 million. It sold 20 days later, on Feb. 13, listing records show. 

The more than 7,000-square-foot residence was built in 2014, and has double-height living spaces, walls of windows, beamed ceilings, fireplaces, and plenty of rustic exposed stone and wood, listing images show. 

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There’s also a gym, a wet bar, a spa, a wine room, an office, two separate game rooms, seven bedrooms and dramatic Lake Tahoe views. Outside, there’s a private sandy beach, multiple decks, a heated driveway and two exterior fireplaces, according to listing information. 

MORE: Visited by Kings and Larger Than Manhattan, Giant Scottish Estate Asks £67 Million

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The seller and the buyer are both limited liability companies, according to property records. Both parties were represented by Jeff Brown of Tahoe Mountain Realty, who declined to comment on the deal. 

The median home price in Incline Village was $1.595 million as of December, a fall of 3.3% from a year earlier, according to data from Realtor.com. Listings, meanwhile, spent an average of 130 days on the market. 



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Green Valley edges Liberty in Class 5A softball — PHOTOS

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Green Valley edges Liberty in Class 5A softball — PHOTOS