SEATTLE, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent television and radio advertisements launched by the supporters of Initiative 330 (I-330) feature a registered nurse attorney in support of the measure. The ads give viewers the impression that the initiative enjoys the backing of nursing organizations -- when in fact, none of the advanced practice specialty nursing organizations or the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), the largest professional organization representing more than 13,000 registered nurses throughout Washington State, have endorsed I-330.
“Make no mistake, nurses are extremely concerned about the medical liability insurance crisis. Specialized advanced practice nurses such as certified nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists, along with physicians and health care facilities, have experienced decreased numbers of liability insurers, lack of adequate coverage and high liability rate increases,” said Kim Armstrong, RN, President of WSNA.
“The nursing focus surrounding medical liability reform is centered on patients’ access to care, affordability of liability insurance for all health care providers, and patient safety and fairness to patients. WSNA is taking a close look at this extremely complex issue and has not yet endorsed either of the proposed initiatives,” said Judy Huntington, MN, RN, Executive Director of WSNA.
We believe that solutions to the medical liability crisis must protect the interests of the patients as well as the providers. As a result, WSNA, along with ARNPs United of Washington State, Washington Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Washington Chapter of American College of Nurse-Midwives, and Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses, have jointly developed policy priorities on medial liability insurance reform including the following:
-- Consumer access to affordable health care services -- Assuring consumer access to health care services must guide efforts to address the liability insurance crisis. -- Provider access to adequate and reasonably priced liability insurance -- All providers should have access to adequate and reasonably priced insurance. -- Fair treatment for injured patients -- Injured patients must maintain their rights to receive reasonable compensation and legal representation. -- Enhancing patient safety through the prevention of medical errors and injuries -- Prevention of medical errors and injuries is a critical feature of any meaningful effort to address liability and malpractice.
Founded in 1908, WSNA is the professional organization representing more than 13,000 registered nurses in Washington State. WSNA effectively advocates for the improvement of health standards and availability of quality health care for all people; promotes high standards for the nursing profession; and advances the professional and economic development of nurses.
Washington State Nurses Association
CONTACT: Anne Tan Piazza, +1-206-575-7979, ext. 3006, or fax,+1-206-575-1908, for Washington State Nurses Association
Web site: http://www.wsna.org//
