March 31, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

100 Healthcare Workers, Allies to Protest Today at Noon About Understaffing at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica

One hundred healthcare workers and allies will protest today at 12 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at Providence St. John’s Health Center, 2121 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica, over understaffing at the hospital and a plan that would prohibit workers from publicly airing concerns about patient care. 

“Our goal is to provide the best patient care but that’s hard to do when we’re short staffed and unable to respond to patients’ calls for help,” said Linda Phongsvej, a Respiratory Therapist at St. John’s Health Center. “Patients should have confidence that when they walk into the hospital that someone will respond as soon as possible. This is what my co-workers and I strive for, and why we are raising the issue of staffing.” 

According to a survey conducted last month of 154 workers at the hospital, 47 percent report staffing has been cut in their department during the past year, and more than a third of respondents indicated that understaffing delays their ability to respond to patient call lights. 

Patients at St. John’s agree there is a problem with caregivers’ response times.Medicare.gov reported that only 56 percent of St. John’s patients “always received help as soon as they wanted,” compared to the state average of 61 percent and the national average of 69 percent. 

The hospital is proposing a “gag rule” that prohibits workers from speaking publicly about patient care problems at the facility. Caregivers say such a policy is an attempt to deter them from reporting serious issues that affect the community and patients have a right to know. 

More than 450 workers at the hospital are members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), from nursing assistants and licensed vocational nurses to respiratory therapists and pharmacy technicians. Workers voted to join the union in February 2017.

The facility opened in 1942 and is owned by Providence St. Joseph Health, which is the third-largest hospital system in the country with 50 facilities, including hospitals in Burbank, Mission Hills, San Pedro, Tarzana and Torrance. The company reported operating revenue of $18.1 billion in 2016.

<>Related Posts

Palisades Youth Soccer Team Fundraises to Compete in Sweden Tournament

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The team is raising funds through GoFundMe, with donations aimed at covering travel costs, accommodations, and fees A youth soccer...

Seven-Bedroom Venice Pad on Shell Ave. Hits Market at Under $7M

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The home sits on a 5,740-square-foot lot and includes a two-car garage A newly listed property in Venice, featuring modern...

School of Rock Students Shine in Winter Performance Despite Widespread Fires

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Summer Camp Registration Opens Now By Susan Payne Wildfire devastation wreaked havoc in areas of Los Angeles this January with...

City Approves Redevelopment Deal for Civic Auditorium

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Officials said the next phase of the process includes site analyses to assess redevelopment viability The Santa Monica City Council...

SM.a.r.t. Column: Smart Home Systems and IoT Sensors: The New Frontline Against Wildfires

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

In a world where wildfire threats grow more ominous each year, a technological revolution is quietly unfolding at the intersection...

Former Married… With Children Actress Found Dead in Malibu Mansion

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Homicide Detectives Review Death of CSI Miami and ER Actress Authorities are investigating the death of 58-year-old actress Cindyana Santangelo,...

New Deadline, More Access: LA County Debris Program Expands Scope, Extends Signup

March 30, 2025

March 30, 2025

Officials Broaden Scope to Help More Residents, Encourage Early Submission Los Angeles County officials have announced that FEMA has agreed...

Judge to L.A. Leaders: ‘I Am Your Worst Nightmare’ in Scathing Homeless Spending Rebuke

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

Carter Warns of Court Intervention if City and County Fail to Fix Broken Systems U.S. District Judge David O. Carter,...

Mayor Karen Bass Texts Sent During the Palisades Fire Have Been Released

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

Newly Recovered Texts Were Recovered After Sharp Criticism Over Deletions As wildfires swept through Los Angeles in early January, Mayor...

The Blue Notebook: Santa Monica Police Department Weekly Activity Report: March 9–15

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

Spike in Arrests, Drug Incidents, and Mental Health Calls in Santa Monica By Lewis Gilmour During the week of March...

Film Review: Snow White

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

FILM REVIEWSNOW WHITERated PG109 MinutesReleased March 21st  The Snow White fairy tale was compiled by the Brothers Grimm in the...

THIS WEEKEND: Palisades High to Host Benefit to Support Displaced Students

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

The evening aims to bring the Pali High community together while raising funds through sponsorships, donations, and an ongoing online...

March Madness Celebration Coming to Santa Monica Pier

March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025

The celebration will culminate in an evening viewing party at Patio 66, where fans can watch the games while enjoying...

Cinque Terre West Reopens in Venice After Palisades Closure

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

The Vinzonis have now joined The Colony, a food hall in Venice, to continue serving their signature dishes Nine months...

Film Review: A Working Man

March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025

By Dolores Quintana A Working Man is the second collaboration between director David Ayer and actor Jason Statham, in which...