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Hudson County Politics Message Board |
Posted by Stella on June 02, 2006 at 11:22:46:
In Reply to: Jersey City Medical Center-What You Don’t Know Can Kill You posted by Steven Glazer, Urban Times News on July 16, 2003 at 10:32:01:
I can attest to the wrongdoings of the JCMC as I have been inextricably connected to the establishment my entire life. There have been ongoing problems (to say the least) since the revamping in the 1980’s. The hospital maintains no level of professionalism and for the accusations of “browbeating” and sweeping things under the rug—the medical center is justly charged. I have witnessed these injustices first hand. There is absolute corruption in all levels of management, and it is not just the patients, but the Doctors, Nurses, and all other employees who are not stuffing their pockets with six digits a year that suffer. One practice that is of concern in the media right now is the “promotion” of nurses to “supervisors.” While this opportunity for RNs to supplement their income seems inviting, and I know many who have taken the opportunity, it strips them of their leverage; they are no longer able to negotiate or be represented, because they are no longer unionized. It is basically a tactic that allows for the JCMC to do whatever they wish without any repercussions. For example: A nurse is “promoted” to Supervisor, drops from the union, and is subsequently dismissed. This allows for the JCMC to hire a new nurse right out of nursing school, or an LPN at a lower salary. I have seen nurses who have worked for the JC medical system for 25 years or more blatantly disregarded and tossed away in this manner many times. This of course, adds to your questions of competency. Furthermore, the medical profession had long been a revered institution and Doctors have well deservedly been treated as superior beings. This is no longer the case as our litigious culture, HMOs, and corporatization of medical care have squeezed the life out of our practitioners. It is no wonder the AMA has recently become more lax on its admissions in order to meet the need for doctors in this time of waning popularity of health care professions. In an ironic reversal, it is no longer more costly to become a doctor than it actually is to practice medicine. (ie, it is no longer worth it to become a doctor considering todays climate of malpractice, slander, and being at the mercy of HMOs and other entities.) I have seen the medical center go through many changes over the years, and this seems to be the most appalling transition yet. Of course, the government has caught on to them, but the results are absolutely devastating, and the employees are being irreparably harmed by the actions of upper level hydras. Something must be done about the way this is going. I wish I were astute enough to understand all of the legalities, business practices, and such that are involved. All I can do is contribute a voice that says, “Not everyone in the JCMC is a money hungry thief. There are honest caring people at stake here as well.” But certainly these injustices must be paid, and not at the expense of those who are not involved in this “malpractice.” This is the first time I have encountered anything speaking out against it, and I am glad. If only I knew of a way to actively do something, as I am sure there are larger voices than yours or mine that are capable of rectifying (at least, at some level) this situation. There are many people, employees, employees’ families, and patients who are being injured by this Tammany style operation, and we must band together to salvage what is left of this Jersey City institution, just as Jersey City itself is being reborn.
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