(SMITHTOWN, NEW YORK) – Mediation held at the Catholic Health/St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center to address repeated understaffing issues in the Emergency Department (ED) has ended in a positive result for Nurses represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA).

For months, the Smithtown Hospital has been plagued by understaffing, particularly in the ED and Intensive Care Units, which Union Officials said has resulted in the Hospital’s failure to adhere to Safe Staffing Ratios.

And alongside the closure of St. Catherine’s Maternal Child Health Services earlier this year, patient care has been put at risk, they added.

Nurses took action to enforce the Safe Staffing Standards in their contract, documenting understaffing and taking their complaints all the way to mediation.

During mediation, Nurses spoke about the unsafe staffing levels they’ve been experiencing - and as a result, the Hospital agreed to hire 12 new Nurses to fill the staggered shifts in the staffing grid.  

ED Registered Nurse Amanda Hernandez said: "After months and months of tracking the unsafe staffing levels, we are glad the hospital recognizes that creating a plan is not enough.  They need to enact the plan by staffing Units so that there are enough nurses to safely take care of their patients.  Hiring more Nurses is a crucial step in being able to provide the quality care patients deserve."

Hospital management also agreed to: Additional language that includes monthly updates on recruitment efforts; Release of ED Staff to attend these meeting; Use of Travel Nurses, Agency and current Staff to fill vacancies until proper Staff is hired; and Agreement on the total number of full-time Nurses to staff the ED as per the contract grid.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: St. Catherine’s Agrees to Hire Additional Nurses After Mediation Win | New York State Nurses Association