AONL supports AHA response to NYT opinion video

The American Hospital Association (AHA) responded to a New York Times video opinion piece through multiple channels to dispel mischaracterizations of hospitals and health systems. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack authored a blog, and the association issued a special bulletin countering the assertion that health care’s workforce challenges are a result of efforts to cut costs and that staffing ratios are the solution. “The real story is that hospitals and health systems are advocating for real, commonsense solutions to our nation’s complex health care workforce challenges,” Pollack wrote in the blog post, which details the complexity of determining safe nurse staffing levels. “COVID-19 has caused significant stress on our workforce with many suffering from trauma, burnout and increased behavioral health challenges,” said AONL CEO Robyn Begley and AONL Board President Erik Martin said in a message to members. They note that mandatory rigid staffing ratios are not the solution. “AONL strongly supports the AHA’s response and is working collaboratively to collect and promote positive messages of nursing as a profession,” they wrote. “We value nurses and are committed to their safety, well-being and financial compensation. We are working to identify and implement short- and long-term solutions to the workforce shortages.”