RESOLUTION NO. 030528
Declaring May 5, 2003, as
Patient Care Day and May 6-12, 2003, as National Nurses Week.
WHEREAS, the AFT
Healthcare Leadership Council has designated May 5, 2003, Patient Care Day to
coincide with National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2003; and
WHEREAS, Patient
Care Day events will initiate a multi-year campaign focusing on legislation
about safe staffing, and will highlight the groups efforts to encourage state
legislatures to pass laws establishing appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios; and
WHEREAS, the
theme of Patient Care Day is Set Limits, Save Lives and will be used to
inform legislators and consumers of the need for proper staffing in all patient
settings; and
WHEREAS, nursing
staff issues are a growing concern. There currently are an estimated
120,000 open nursing positions, and researchers conclude that unless steps are
taken to address this shortage, it will increase to 400,000 in the next twenty
years; and
WHEREAS, patient
care is of utmost importance, not only to the patient and family members, but
also to doctors, nurses, healthcare aides, pharmacists, and all who are entrusted
to care for patients in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other care
facilities. As is stated in Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health Care
System for the 21st Century (Institute of Medicine, 2001), The people who
deliver care are the health systems most important resource. Healthcare
workers face significant challenges and should be afforded a work environment
that allows them to protect the health, safety and rights of their patients;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor
and Council hereby declare May 5, 2003, as Patient Care Day and May 6-12,
2003, as National Nurses Week; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in
testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to affiliates of Nurses
United for Improved Patient Care with the Mayor and Council urging all Kansas
Citians to honor nurses and celebrate the contributions nurses make to the
people they serve.
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