SEATTLE, Wash. – Providence Health & Services is set to undergo significant changes in its at-home health care services. The organization has reached a deal with a Tennessee-based for-profit company, Compassus, to take over operations. This partnership comes amid ongoing negotiations with the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA).
A representative for the nurses at Providence expressed concerns about the impact of this deal on their jobs. The negotiations for a permanent contract with the hospital have been lengthy, with safety being a key issue. This concern is heightened by the tragic murder of a nurse during an in-home visit two years ago.
The nurses’ association is advocating for more input in the critical case review process to assess the safety of patients’ homes. They believe that additional input would allow nurses to formally express concerns before committing to home visits.
The partnership with Compassus adds uncertainty to the situation.
“We do worry that just the conditions of in which nurses …