When Union Nurses speak out, it can save patients’ lives.

The Ventura County Star reported that Los Robles Regional Medical Center used contaminated surgical instruments on patients in three procedures, failed to sanitize surgical equipment, and failed to report an adverse event. The Star’s reporting was based on the results of an investigation conducted by the California Department of Public Health.

It all started with our members sounding the alarm.

“In a 54-page report completed in May, California Department of Public Health investigators cited three surgeries at the hospital in which contaminated equipment was used,” writes reporter Tom Kisken.

State investigators launched a complaint validation survey of the hospital, which substantiated seven of 11 complaints.

“Management at the hospital was aware of the danger to patients and failed to take sufficient action to rectify it,” said Rosanna Mendez, SEIU 121RN’s executive director.

Read our full statement about the CDPH report at seiu121rn.org/losroblescdphstatement.

You can read the VC Star story here, and at Becker’s Hospital Review here.