News

November 6, 2009

Nurse blasts hospital before W-B council

Wilkes-Barre General Hospital hopes for a good labor agreement, a spokesman says.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A group of nurses from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital told City Council on Thursday that they are concerned about the quality of care at the North River Street facility.

Frances Prusinski, a registered nurse for more than 25 years, spoke on behalf of the Wyoming Valley Nurses Association. About 10 other nurses attended the meeting with Prusinski.

“We as nurses are advocates for our patients,” Prusinski said. “We strive to provide a high standard of care, but it seems CHS is more concerned with profits rather than patients.”

She said the nurses are concerned about staffing issues. The hospital has lost several nurses recently and shifts are often short-staffed, she said.

Prusinski didn’t ask council for support, but said she might return if the situation doesn’t improve.

“At some point we may ask council for a letter of support,” she said. “Hopefully, we will be able to push CHS in the right direction.”

The 130-year-old facility is owned by Community Health Systems and employs more than 2,000.

Council Chairman Tony Thomas Jr. thanked Prusinski for her comments.

Contacted after the meeting, Kevin McDonald, senior marketing associate and spokesman for CHS, said the health care provider views its nurses “as essential members of our care team.”

“We also recognize and respect the collective bargaining process,” McDonald said. “We realize that any agreement between Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals can only be finalized through discussions at the bargaining table. Wilkes-Barre General Hospital remains committed to good-faith bargaining and we hope a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached soon.”

In other business, council approved a contract for $13,903 with M. Mayo Stripping Co. to paint new street markings.

Council also approved a request of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry to hang two signs from its offices at 2 Public Square. The signs will each measure 40 inches by 30 inches and will advertise two tenants in the building – the Blazick Law Firm and Luzerne County Community College, which operates its corporate learning center in the building.

The hospital has lost several nurses recently and shifts are often short-staffed, (registered nurse Frances Prusinski) said.

 

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