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Death of FL patient brings use of agency nurses into question

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, March 12, 2008

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After an 80-year-old patient fell and hit his head in an emergency room in Plantation, FL, hospitals in that state are questioning the use of fill-in nurses, reports the The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The patient, William T. Fain, was brought in by his family after having a seizure in February 2006. After being seen by a doctor, he was supposed to be sent to the intensive care unit and precautions to prevent him from falling were supposed to be put in place. None of these happened and Fain fell out of bed, hit his head, suffered brain damage, and died two weeks after the incident. Many of the nurses who were taking care of Fain that night were agency nurses, unaware of hospital policies and procedures.

Florida is currently suffering a nursing shortage, like much of the country. Up to 10% of nursing positions in this state are vacant, and often filled by agency employees. Agency nurses fill up to 12% of nursing positions and in 10 years, it's estimated that the state could lose 40% of its nursing workforce due to retirement. Although there may be a consensus that using agency workers is not best practice, especially since they cost hospitals more than salaried nurses, they fill a void, and their use will likely continue at its present rate.

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