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Wisconsin Nurse Laid Off Mid-Surgery
The Wisconsin State Journal
April 16, 2009
A Dean Health System manager removed a nurse from a minor surgical procedure last week, in violation of medical protocol, in order to lay her off, a spokesman for the company confirmed Monday.
The abrupt removal, which spokesman Paul Pitas said posed no danger to the patient, came after the Madison-based health-care provider announced Wednesday that it planned to “immediately” lay off 90 employees.
Pitas, director of corporate communications, labeled the action “clearly … an error in judgment on the part of the manager conducting the layoff.” He declined to name the manager but described her as “an otherwise good employe with more than 30 years of nursing experience who made a regrettable decision.”
“This person is very upset and is extremely remorseful over this,” Pitas said, adding that the layoffs created “extraordinary circumstances.”
Pitas said the incident occurred at Dean’s West Clinic at 752 N. High Point Road on Wednesday or Thursday as employees were notified of the job cuts.
He declined to name the employees involved or what type of procedure the nurse was assisting in when she was summoned from her duties and terminated.
“There was a period of time in which an RN was not present during the procedure,” Pitas said. “While there were other clinical staff present, including a physician, the absence of an RN goes against established patient-care procedures at Dean Health System.”
He added that the patient, whose name is protected by patient confidentiality laws, is “doing fine.”
“We can tell you the physician who performed the procedure reports it went as expected,” he said.
bugalina
about 4 years ago
2 comments
perhaps the the management should have been the one layed off. Minor proceedure or not it could have endangered the patient. Not everything always goes as planned, people have allergic reactions, sundden drops in heart rate and she may have been needed immediatly.
blpettus
about 4 years ago
4 comments
Just because a person is in management doesn't mean they have management skills or common sense. Anyone, anyone should know, even if you had to fire an employee, you don't do it while they are in the middle of a procedure, unless that employee is causing a threat to the patient's safety.
This Manager will probably get a raise!!!
cab020881
about 4 years ago
8 comments
I am an RN with 32 years of Critical Care experience, including experience in heart transplants in Houston, TX with the finest cardiovascular surgeons of their time. After 40 years in health care, 32 in critical care, teaching, team building, never seeking management, but always to serve my unit by working the odd shifts when needed, taking extra call if someone was sick, etc. How was I rewarded for my loyalty, character, dependability, experience.....you guessed it, I was laid off. That was Nov 2008. After more resumes and applications than I can even keep track of, I finally was hired last week into a wonderful position in a nursing specialty that I had never considered before, but I believe is going to suit me just fine. Hospice. I'm only going to be making what I did 12 years ago, but at least I'll be working. Gals, hang on to your jobs 'cause right now there just aren't any out there to be found, especially if you're "experienced" like me.
Sykepleier
about 4 years ago
68 comments
That sux.
kjagnew1
about 4 years ago
134 comments
what in the worl?! has the economy gotten that bad that people are getting laid off in the middle of doing thier jobs?! I know that things are going to get a lot worse before they start to get any better but I didnt think it would come to this. This was extremely unfortunate and I hope that the people who lost their jobs can bounce back
lousue369
about 4 years ago
8 comments
It's is horrible when you lose your job, let alone to be in the middle of doing it! Those people are slugs and this shortage is not getting any better, any time soon! We have 8-9 patients at a time on a Trauma/Ortho unit but we are so used to it that we prefer it that way. Our place made a new assignment/staff guideline. We have to have 16 patients to keep a PST & secretary but, we can still have 3 nurses, running around like crazy, doing all completes, answering phones, taking new assignments, ect. It's crap!
I have been a nurse long enough to know it's been this way since I came on board and is not changing!
Let me tell you though...when we get a VIP (the CEOs housekeeper, the director of nursings best friend) we have to give them a private room & be their nurse maid. It disgusts me.
Anyway, enough venting. Just mad!! :(
ccross08
about 4 years ago
16 comments
What a load of garbage! I never thought I would see the day that RNs would be laid off. I thought the assistive personnel were first in line to go in the hospital. A year or so ago, one of our local hospitals laid off all their LPNs only to leave them severly short staffed (in hopes that the hospial would obtain magnet status)Now I too am wondering about my career decision to persue a BSN degree. I am an LPN with only 6 months experience and I interviewed with a long term care facility today. I asked about the nurse/patient ratio in the faclity. She was quick to reply that "State" has no requirement for this. I would be responsible for the care of 60 residents. Oh yeah, and I would have 2 CNAs and another nurse on the other hall. I've heard of nurses taking on at the most 40 residents. I've not been a nurse long, but I'm sick and tired of having to do more with less!! The nursing shortage, job security, and the recession-proof of the nursing profession are all LIES!!!
robinpc4
about 4 years ago
2 comments
There is no such thing as job security
monimom3
about 4 years ago
8 comments
That is awful!!!!
Account Removed
about 4 years ago
This is what happens when bean counters are placed in charge. Yes, the patients will notice when their care is in danger by having a critically short staff.
TheBeatGoesOn
about 4 years ago
46 comments
Where in the world are we all going with this whole health care system??? I for one am feeling quite a bit o f burn out do to all the issue related, health care issues. Look are we still about people or what
is upb with this whole mess??? Come on lets get real here. How much longer can the Healthcare Industry think they can afford to play this out the way they are doing it??? Sad days!!!
Account Removed
about 4 years ago
I am very upset and sad at the same time to jeopardize patient care for administrative needs. Both the patient and Nurse are due respect,fulfillment of patient care needs FIRST and Foremost in all clinical areas. Nurses are in the Profession to care for others and take their positions very seriously and they are always looking out for the patients needs.
Faithfulgirl
about 4 years ago
40 comments
For Craig Samitt to think that he doesn't "feel patients will notice", let him be the patient in his own system. Maybe then he'll rethink things.
As far as the manager, they'd been better off to fire her and keep the nurse. If they feel like cuts need to be made to our profession, they need to start at the top. Otherwise, those at the top are going to find themselves having to actually do some work and then they aren't going to want to. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot!
nursingtheflush
about 4 years ago
2 comments
The sad thing is, I am seeing more and more experienced nurses get laid off so companies can hire 2 new grads for the same price. Where I work, there is very little experience from all employess on the 7p shift. This is scary because it is a critical care department. I will tell you, I don't want to be a critically ill patient in my own unit. Where has all the company loyalty gone?
vivjohn
about 4 years ago
6 comments
I have been a RN for 32 years and watched our profession nosedive in terms of professional standards and loyalty. Nurses (who are not in unions) are notorious for undermining one another. I find the decreasing adherence to best practices and poor management skills of some nurse leaders to be so tiresome. I am part of the group that nursing surveys call "aging and retiring". This group according to the surveys will help to increase the nursing demand as "we" leave the profession. Most of my peers are getting out now or can't wait to get out. Too often upper management (non-nursing) calls the shots and minimizes the nursing role in patient care. This has been in part due to a misconception that our salaries are too high therefore a major expense for companies and we do not generate revenue per se. Well, our salaries are way below what they should be considering our enormous contribution to healthcare, terrible hours and physical/emotional strain. It sounds like to me the manager was operating on fear and relief that she still had her job. I have 12 years to go before I can retire. Lord, I pray that I can make it.