TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s health ministry has clarified rules to protect the rights of nurses who complain interdepartmental assignments can cause overwork and stress.
Nurses complain that assignments outside of their normal departments such as temporary duty in ER and pediatrics have been on the increase to lower the nurse-to-patient ratio in some departments. They say this adds undue stress as they may lack the necessary training to perform these specialized duties, per PTS.
Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) addressed this concern on Tuesday at the legislature. He said hospitals cannot force nurses to undertake interdepartmental support as new assignments must involve personal consent.
Chen Yu-feng (陳玉鳳), advisor to the Taiwan Nursing and Medical Industries Union, said: "It would be difficult for nurses working in obstetrics and gynecology to suddenly care for pediatric patients. For example, it’s easy to draw blood from adults, but it is very difficult to draw blood from children. If you don't do it well, there is a chance that families can sue."
The Taiwan Nurses Union said nurses typically undergo specialized training when they begin work at a hospital such as emergency care, internal medicine, and surgery. Sometimes when a hospital is short of nursing staff, nurses will be asked to provide inter-departmental support.
Chiu said, "I think that we fully understand interdepartmental support causes pressure on nursing staff. I believe the superintendents of our hospitals are wise and professional, and they are unlikely to make random transfers."
Tsay Shwu-feng (蔡淑鳳), head of the Department of Nursing and Health Care under the health ministry said, "If an employer transfers a worker's job, there are two prerequisites. The first is that the worker must agree, and the transfer to a new position must ensure that the person has been trained and has the required knowledge and ability."
According to a survey by the Union of Taiwan Healthcare Professionals, 70% of nursing staff have engaged in interdisciplinary support. Many of the assignments are against the personal wishes of nurses, and some are done with insufficient education and training.
The health ministry said that nurses can report to local labor bureaus or file complaints on the nursing workplace reporting platforms. Each of these complaints will be included as key items in future hospital evaluations to ensure the labor rights and interests of nursing staff are protected.
