Ohio State nurses demand an investigation into the hospital leadership

The president of the Ohio Nurse Association, Rick Lucas, called for an immediate and transparent investigation of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s response to a Nov. 6 physical altercation between a father and a postpartum nurse.

Lucas addressed the board during its Tuesday meeting, The Lantern reported.

Meanwhile, several other members of the union stood in attendance with signs indicating that there is a problem with workplace violence at Ohio State. The protesters in the background also held signs bearing a quote from the nurse involved in the Nov. 6 incident.

“We are advocating not only for the safety, well-being and fair treatment of the professionals who care for patients across OSU, but also for the patients we serve in the broader community that rely on this institution for high quality, safe and compassionate care,” Lucas told The Lantern.

The association called for Chief Administrative Officer Elizabeth Seely, other senior executives, the leaders of Ohio State police, the university’s public safety department and the medical center security, to be held accountable.

Lucas also mentioned other cases of the Ohio State nurses being threatened, adding that the police didn’t take any action to stop the current incidents or prevent the future ones.

“Some staff are now navigating disability accommodations because they fear they can not run fast enough to survive similar attacks,” he told The Lantern. “Staff report anxiety, hypervigilance and trauma walking to and from work.”

Lucas said that “staff are forced to navigate dark, isolated areas alone, often early in the morning or late at night.”

“Any footsteps, voices or approaching vehicles create immediate fear for personal safety,” he said.

Lucas said these situations result in a harmful workplace at the medical center and beyond.

“These situations represent gross neglect and inability to maintain a safe working environment for nurses, health professionals and all those on campus,” he said.

The association demanded changes, including security stations in high-risk units, such as women’s and infant units, and comprehensive code violence protocols that are clear and practiced effectively to protect staff members.

In November, the Ohio State University Nurses Organization held a rally of about 40 nurses, faculty, and supporters at the park outside the main entrance to Rhodes Hall, advocating for the same things Lucas later discussed during the Tuesday board meeting, The Lantern reported.

This is not the only problem that the Ohio State is facing. It was previously reported that the university implemented “race-exclusionary practices,” introduced mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion coursework to all of its students and was ranked only 12th on merit and free speech.