When a family member,
or friend, is hospitalized we automatically assume that the
hospital is providing the best care possible for that
person. We expect the hospitals to assure that only the most
qualified, educated and trustworthy staff members are
granted access to patients. Unfortunately, as we have
recently learned, that is not always the case.
In light of the
unfortunate occurrence at Somerset Medical Center, it has
been brought to light that there is a problem that is
happening at our health care institutions. A nurse at
Somerset Medical Center has been linked to at least one
death, and possible other overdoses over his 16 year career
in the nursing field, and has stated that he has “ended the
suffering” of 40 patients, both in New Jersey and
Pennsylvania.
What is most
problematic is that background, and reference, checks on
nurses provides very little information. . It is not
uncommon for nurse’s to change institutions due to
opportunity of higher salary and the only information given
is the date of hire and last day worked. Yet, if a nurse is
implicated in suspicious lab levels or patient care, the
institution that is examining the background is never
informed if the hospital has no proof, or no criminal
charges have been filed, the hospital is liable for legal
action if they report their suspicions to the investigating
institution.
I, and some of my
legislative counterparts, do not believe that this form of
background check is in the best interests of the patients at
New Jersey’s very fine institutions. We have begun filing
bills that would address out concerns by requesting:
-
Hospitals not be
held liable for information regarding a nurse’s dismissal
if patient care is compromised
-
Mandatory background
checks
-
A national nurses
registry be created
It is a real tragedy
that the actions of this individual have cast nurses in a
dark light. Nurses, it has been said, are the ones who save
patients. They are there everyday and night, dealing with
patients who are terminally ill with kindness and caring.
They work long, hard hours yet never lose their ability to
provide comfort. The nursing staff is the backbone of any
healthcare institution.
Recently, legislation
was passed requiring anyone trying to obtain a nurse’s
license in New Jersey be fingerprinted and a background
check be performed. While this is a good first step, it does
not address the issue of nurses who currently hold licenses
in New Jersey. Nothing is more important that protecting
defenseless people who are placing their trust in hospitals
to heal, not harm, them.
