TARTAGLIONE: OVERTIME RESTRICTIONS BEGIN NEXT WEEK

            HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione is reminding health-care providers that a new law prohibiting forced overtime for health-care workers goes into effect this week.

“The new restrictions will not only help Pennsylvania address a growing shortage of care providers, but it will also improve patient safety buy reducing medical errors brought on by fatigue and burn-out,” Tartaglione said. “It will take some adjustment and cooperation, but the result will be better staffing, lower costs, and improved outcomes.”

            Tartaglione was the prime sponsor of Act 102, the result of more than six years of effort to curb the practice of forced overtime and address the concerns of health professionals.  The law goes into effect July 1, and state labor officials have posted information on the Internet to ensure compliance.

            The Bureau of Labor Compliance, under the state Department of Labor and Industry will monitor changes under the law, and handle complaints and questions.

            Act 102 prohibits a health-care facility from requiring employees to work more than agreed to, predetermined and regularly scheduled work shifts.  It does not prevent employees from voluntarily working overtime, and provides exceptions for emergencies.

            “To make sure the law is working as intended, the Department of Labor will help the health-care industry understand its provisions and limitations,” Tartaglione said.

            The mandatory overtime law is a part of Tartaglione’s on-going effort to address a shortage of nurses and other health professionals expected to grow as the state’s population ages.

According to the Center for Health Careers, Pennsylvania will need 146,000 registered nurses in 2010, but would likely fall anywhere from five to ten percent short of that. 

The center is keeping tabs on the shortage of health professionals as well as working with schools, health professionals and hospitals to find ways to keep current nurses on the job while recruiting the next generation of health professionals.

Tartaglione has introduced legislation to make the health career center initiative a permanent part of Pennsylvania’s effort to improve health care and lower costs.

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