MANDATE THE PROVISION OF CLINICAL TRAINING TO HOME CARE PROVIDERS FOR THE DELIVERY OF SAFE PATIENT CARE

WHEREAS, hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions are now discharging patients in a more medically fragile state; and

WHEREAS, patients are placed in their homes with minimal notice and with multiple health challenges; and

WHEREAS, modern technology and medical treatment are evolving on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, some home care nursing staff are newer graduates with little clinical experience; and

WHEREAS, nurses are now often sent to care for patients in their homes and lack the knowledge to provide the care required by frailer or sicker patients; and

WHEREAS, when professional nurses tell management they have little knowledge about a procedure, their employers have actually instructed them to conduct internet searches to find information or videos to learn about equipment or procedures before entering patients’ homes; and

WHEREAS, home care employers do not provide clinical support for best practices in nursing; and

WHEREAS, home care employers have ceased to employ clinical instructors to address the changing needs of patient home care; and

WHEREAS, the lack of clinical support and instruction for home nursing staff may delay the healing process or result in a severe injury or death:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will support locals in their work to negotiate best practices of instruction for nurses; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT denounces the use of Google, YouTube or any other internet resource as the sole means of learning about medical equipment or procedures; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will propose legislation requiring home care employers to provide appropriate nursing instructors in the clinical arena for their employees.