CERTIFICATION OF QUALITY IN HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

WHEREAS, the quality of care being provided in hospitals and other health care facilities has been seriously undermined by the cost-cutting associated with managed care; and

WHEREAS, the primary organization responsible for certifying quality in health care institutions is the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, a privately run organization largely funded by the hospitals and other institutions it is charged with monitoring; and

WHEREAS, the JCAHO inspection process has serious flaws, such as the fact that inspection dates are announced months in advance and that inspectors primarily have contact with hand-picked representatives of hospital administration; and

WHEREAS, the JCAHO has been unresponsive when presented with information by our union leaders and members about deteriorating and sometimes dangerous patient care conditions:

RESOLVED, that the AFT/FNHP advocate creation of an independent regulatory structure to be charged with inspecting and certifying quality in hospitals and other health care facilities; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT/FNHP urges the JCAHO, until such time as an independent regulatory structure can be created, to modify its practices by instituting changes such as conducting unannounced inspections, inviting union representatives to be part of the inspection process, and developing ways for employees to communicate information about conditions in their institution without retaliation by their employers.