CFNU RESOLUTION - Hallway Nursing  adopted June 2007

Whereas, Hallway nursing is prevalent across Canada as a perceived solution to emergency room overcrowding; and

Whereas, Increasingly, provincial governments and physician bodies are relying on hallway nursing as a quick fix to the ER crisis; and

Whereas, Hallway nursing has resulted in creating unsafe environments for patients and nurses alike; and

Whereas, Nursing Unions across Canada would benefit from having a joint position on hallway nursing.

Be It Resolved That, The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) develop a national strategy on hallway nursing and overcapacity protocols, with the end goal of ending hallway nursing.

Submitted by:  British Columbia Nurses' Union

Background

Overcapacity protocols are being developed and put in place by health authorities across BC.  Mandated by the Ministry of Health, the intent of these protocols is to offload admitted patients from the emergency room (ER) to wards and other areas of the hospital when regular in-patient beds are not available and when ERs reach gridlock conditions.  Patients are moved from the ER to other areas regardless of staffing levels or patient acuity on the designated wards.  The BCNU Council recognizes the dilemma it creates for nurses and the impact it has on the safety of patients.

*Discussion on Convention floor was to clarify intent re: hallway nursing is unacceptable be it on the wards or in ERs. This resolution was carried unanimously with passionate debate.*