Staffing: 

An ADO from ER regarding improper float use where an ER nurse was assigned a group as a CNA (which was resolved on shift). Other ADOs were about short staffing issues and difficulty performing timely neuro checks on a stroke patient. These were reviewed and dismissed with acknowledgement due to unforeseen high census and low staffing. An ADO about an ED tech being floated to sit when security was sitting was resolved by ANS that shift.

We are pushing for additional training for codes for ICU circulators. There was an incident where an ICU charge was on lunch and unable to hear a code called, but circulator had not been trained to be code team leader. This will be followed by Merit committee.

For practice committee:

A large number of additional certs have been proposed to CNO Kelly Allen. In a couple of months (Dec or Jan) a way to submit these for formal review will be available. Same as if a certification is on the list but does not apply to a unit it should (example is Cardiac Medicine Certification not yet eligible for PCU despite being accepted on MOU). That particular example has already been submitted. The list will get publicly posted by management.

IT informatics tickets are in place for PICC line dressing and ITMS/Epidural narcotic administration safeguards.

Foley protocol for non-ICU removal review is pending.

A long-term plan is reforming what’s called shared governance which is a way for interdepartmental unit-based councils to collaborate. Likely in 2026. More to come on this.

This Committee meets monthly for the Officers and Hospital Leadership

Review -Jobs report, no concerns voiced.

• MBU scheduling issues, WSNA, Brittany presented.  Nurses feel management is not showing all the shifts that need to be filled during self-scheduling, allowing pool RN to be assigned shifts after self-scheduling is closed.  Level loading on days with FTE nurses, then adding pool nurses to the schedule after. RN’s do not feel comfortable going to their direct supervisors, feel there will be repercussions if they do.

  Kelly Allen asked about having a meeting with the MBU, OB, SCN staff since we brought so many topics related to this floor. Kelly suggested that WSNA officers, herself, and maybe the supervisors should be present. WSNA officers said yes, this would help. Meeting will address MBU Scheduling Issues, MBU and SCN being considered a single unit resulting in vacation limits, MBU vacation scheduling for job-share positions and coverage, MBU charge nurse and equitable weekends, Special Care Nursery debrief and resources. Meeting to be set in next 2-3 weeks.

• IP denials for participation for units that typically do not float.  WSNA Brittney, Kim responded that the vascular nurse could participate in the IP program as long as they pick a floor to float to.
• Pool nurses assigned to case management unit are having trouble in scheduling shifts. The FTE case managers have a set pattern for their schedule and do not use self-schedule.  Pool nurses are told to put that they are available in API to get scheduled shifts. New contract language says the Pool nurse will pick available shifts when self-schedule is open. When there is a call off, or a whole in the schedule, the API Pool availability is not used to fill the hole, they are not notified.  Stefanie talked about similar situation in OR where the staff does not self-schedule.  Liz said it is not possible with the different skill levels and the variable start times. Jason said that the contract does not say that the hospital must use self-scheduling, it says “may” use self-scheduling. Kelly Allen will check with CM supervisor, Heather.
• Hospice and Home Health has been experiencing needs for nurses usually assigned to Hospice needing to take patients in Home Health. Concerns about training as the two areas are different. Nurses should be offered additional training per the employer.
• Ensuring meal breaks between 2^nd and 5^th hour.  We sought to confirm that the hospital is not telling nurses to not take first lunch and forcing them to take second lunch. Asked about the reports that are made each morning at 0800 and handed to the charge nurses on each floor.  Kim, Report is created when a nurse does not choose a lunch when they clock in for their shift.  Management will not change timecards unless the employee asks them to.
• Auto-population of waiving premiums, WSNA, Izzy. Ask is for info to be resent in hot topics on how to see when the nurse is waving premiums.  Currently the waiving language will not show up for the nurse in API until the manager has approved shift that was a swap, pick up of extra hours, or when trading shifts.
• Capping of IP shifts.  WSNA, Stefanie wanted to clarify with management that all nurses, Pool, Part time, Full time, RNs are all capped for only having 24 hours per pay period that can be counted toward the IP program.  The nurse can pick up more than two shifts per pay period but only 24 hours will count towards IP.  Management affirms.

• Open enrollment is Nov. 5 through Nov. 19. There was mention of fun activities and a chance to win prizes when you enroll early. Booklets would be arriving by mail.
• Insurance increases are noted. These are slight. The maximum is 20% and less for 2026. The website on pulse has last year’s cost to compare. Dental has not increased.
• Lively will be the new HAS/FSA Benefits Administrator
• Laurel Aaberg presented information regarding tracking/analyzing patterns of claims submitted. There was mentioned that the WVMC Covid Vaccinations would be $200? Unsure if this is correct. There was also noted that there was an increase in claims for inhalers for the month of September. Members who use GLP1 will increase about 10% and will see an increase to 12% in 2026.