A Bill Before the Oregon Legislature Could Give Whistleblower Protections to Non-nursing Hospital Personnel
April 6, 2011 By Patrick Malone & Associates, P.C.
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A recent bill before Oregon’s state Senate might provide non-nursing hospital personnel workplace protection when they report patient care practices, procedures, or policies that endanger patient safety.
Under the current law, Oregon nurses are afforded legal protections from retaliation in hospitals when they identify and report practices that create undue risks for patient health or safety. If it becomes law, a new Oregon Senate bill 237 would work to extend these types of reporting protections to Oregon’s non-nursing hospital staff, including lab and X-ray technicians, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses and others.
Supporters of this new Oregon bill say it is much needed due to the fact that workplace retaliation against healthcare workers who report patient safety issues is common, and filing a complaint with a regulatory agency or speaking truthfully to an on-site regulatory inspector can pose significant career risks. The bill would improve patient care and safety by legally prohibiting retaliation against staff by their hospital employers.
The Oregon state Senate committee studying the bill also conducted hearings to listen to testimony that because of the “warm and fuzzy” relationship between hospitals and state and federal legislators, hospital health care workers also need protection from retaliation from state and federal regulatory agency employees.
In addition, state Senators were urged to prohibit the disclosure of any personal identifiers of any complainant to any other person or entity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patrick Malone
Washington, DC medical malpractice attorney, Patrick Malone has spent his career advocating on behalf of patients who have been injured in a health care setting.
Copyright Patrick Malone & Associates, P.C.
More information about Patrick Malone & Associates, P.C.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Supporters of this new Oregon bill say it is much needed due to the fact that workplace retaliation against healthcare workers who report patient safety issues is common, and filing a complaint with a regulatory agency or speaking truthfully to an on-site regulatory inspector can pose significant career risks. The bill would improve patient care and safety by legally prohibiting retaliation against staff by their hospital employers.
The Oregon state Senate committee studying the bill also conducted hearings to listen to testimony that because of the “warm and fuzzy” relationship between hospitals and state and federal legislators, hospital health care workers also need protection from retaliation from state and federal regulatory agency employees.
In addition, state Senators were urged to prohibit the disclosure of any personal identifiers of any complainant to any other person or entity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patrick Malone
Washington, DC medical malpractice attorney, Patrick Malone has spent his career advocating on behalf of patients who have been injured in a health care setting.
Copyright Patrick Malone & Associates, P.C.
More information about Patrick Malone & Associates, P.C.
View all articles published by Patrick Malone & Associates, P.C.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
