Onondaga RNs say prison health care privatization could threaten quality of patient care

SYRACUSE, NY, Aug. 10, 2010 – The proposed privatization of health care services at Onondaga County correctional facilities would have a negative impact on the quality of patient care, according to the New York State Nurses Association, the union for the county’s registered nurses.

County officials have been seeking bids from private corporations to provide nursing services starting in October. Privatization of prison healthcare has been criticized across the nation, and in a number of cases poor corporate management has led to lapses in care and even deaths.

In New York state, for example:

Westchester County is again privatizing its correctional health care. According to the Journal News : “This deal would come a decade after the county's last flirtation with privatized health care for county jail inmates, when the deal led to at least two inmate suicides and subsequent lawsuits…. Correct Care Solutions also had legal troubles, and has been named in 140 federal lawsuits since 2004.”
The New York Times reported in 2005 that its yearlong examination of Prison Health Services revealed “repeated instances of medical care that has been flawed and sometimes lethal. The company's performance around the nation has provoked criticism from judges and sheriffs, lawsuits from inmates' families and whistle-blowers, and condemnations by federal, state and local authorities. The company has paid millions of dollars in fines and settlements.”

Onondaga County nurses believe this issue affects the entire community. Correctional facilities present a wide range of healthcare management challenges, including controlling the spread of contagious diseases. Onondaga County nurses have been committed to providing quality care to all members of our community.

In less than two months, 30 Nurses Association RNs who have worked for years in the correctional facility could be sent out the door. The county has promised that nurses will be given an opportunity to fill vacant positions, followed by “bumping” of probationary or less-senior nurses. However, the Nurses Association contends that any reduction of nurses will increase the patient load per nurse and decrease patient safety.

The county has promised taxpayers that privatization will save them millions of dollars, but at what cost?

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest professional association and largest union for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

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