San Diego Nurses To U.S. Senate: Look At California To See Benefits Of Setting Patient-To-Staff Ratios
“When I was in nursing school you could have up to 14 patients,” Rebecca Wells said. “You can’t even keep your patients straight. And I hear horror stories of the nurses who would cry — just drive home in tears like, ‘Did I do harm?’”
KPBS:
San Diego Nurses Rally In Washington For Lower Patient-To-Staff Ratio Nationwide
San Diego nurses were among a sea of nurses dressed in red who lobbied senators Wednesday to lower patient-to-staff ratios and to push back against the Republican health care plan. As part of International Nurses Week, dozens of nurses from 19 states urged senators to reject the American Health Care Act. (Whittler, 5/10)
In more news on health care personnel —
Los Angeles Times:
L.A. City Attorney Accuses Home Healthcare Firm Of Stealing Workers' Wages
The Los Angeles city attorney filed suit Wednesday against a home healthcare business operator, accusing her companies of bilking hundreds of mostly immigrant workers out of their pay while violating minimum wage and overtime laws. "Stealing wages from hardworking men and women is reprehensible,” Mike Feuer said. “No worker should be forced into poverty because an employer denies them their basic rights to a minimum wage and overtime. My office will aggressively combat wage theft and fight to ensure all workers are paid what the law demands.” (Winton, 5/10)
East Bay Times:
Doctor Suspected Of Sexual Assault On Patient Arrested At Walnut Creek Outpatient Center
A physician at a John Muir outpatient center was arrested Monday on suspicion of sexual assault on a female patient, according to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office. Rajesh Kumar Singla, 36, of Milpitas, was arrested by sheriff’s Special Victims Unit detectives on multiple counts of sexual assault. Singla is a family medicine doctor who works for the John Muir Health outpatient office at 1450 Treat Blvd. in unincorporated Contra Costa County. (Kirkwood, 5/9)
Orange County Register:
Chinese Caregivers Sue Alleged California Birth Tourism Center, Citing Low Wages And Unpaid Overtime
Workers hired to care for pregnant Chinese women who traveled to give birth on American soil are suing an alleged birth tourism center, citing unfair wages and working conditions. In a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court, six Chinese immigrant caregivers, including two from Orange County, say the Xin Xi Du Month Center forced them to work more than 70 hours a week while paying less than minimum wage and withholding overtime. (Puente, 5/9)