MNA NewsScan, April 10, 2013: Tentative agreement for Duluth RNs; Alarm fatigue puts patients at risk

NOTES ON NURSING
Tentative Agreement for St. Lukes Nurses in Duluth   The Minnesota Nurses Association announced late Tuesday that Duluth nurses came to a tentative contract agreement with St. Luke’s hospital that would raise wages 4.5 percent. The three-year agreement would go into effect in July and run into June 2016.  View pictures of the great solidarity action  and a video of MNA’s powerful opening statement

Alarm Fatigue Puts Patients at Risk    The Joint Commission issued a “sentinel event alert” to hospitals, saying that the problem of “alarm fatigue” can jeopardize patients, and it urged hospitals “to take a focused look at this serious patient safety issue.’”  Watch MNA President Linda Hamilton’s interview on Fox 9 News.

LABOR UPDATES

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Musicians Agree to Terms  The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra will start making music again. Concerts are expected to resume after musicians and management announced Tuesday night, April 9,

HEALTH CARE

Health Care CEO Compensation Skyrockets in 2012 The leader of the industry’s largest publicly traded chain with 146 hospitals earned $34.5 million last year, excluding option awards, compared with just $8.5 million in 2011.

Mayo Ratchets Up Pressure on Legislature   Mayo Clinic President and CEO John Noseworthy was talking in Washington, D.C., but he was clearly addressing Minnesota legislators: If the state doesn’t pony up millions for Mayo’s multibillion-dollar expansion, the clinic will take its business elsewhere.

Minnesota Attorney General Announces Second Public Hearing on Proposed Sanford Takeover of Fairview/U-M    Hearing details: The second hearing will take place on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 15 of the State Capitol. Doors to the State Capitol open at 1:00 p.m.