Governor’s Office: Staffing Needs for Pediatric Care Are Being Addressed

LAS VEGAS – The Governor’s Office announced Monday that steps had been taken to ensure pediatric care staffing demands are met as RSV, flu, and COVID-19 cases overwhelm pediatric facilities.

The announcement comes after the Nevada Hospital Association (NHA) said last week that it was requesting authorization to allow hospitals to exceed legal capacity limitations in neonatal and pediatric care units, as well as eliminate licensing requirements for nurses and respiratory care professionals.

Instead, the Nevada State Board of Nursing will expedite applications (NSBN).

As respiratory cases plague hospitals across Nevada, pediatric care is in the “red zone.”
According to the Governor’s Office, “any nurse a hospital believes appropriate to assist with the current pediatric crisis will have their application handled quickly by the NSBN.”

NHA reported last week that “Nevada is one of just a few states that does not recognize nursing licensure from other states. Nevada does not have a ‘nurse compact.’ As a result, Nevada hospitals are unable to adapt to seasonal or emergency staffing needs with the same speed, flexibility, and resourcefulness as hospitals in most other states and territories.”

Last week, the Southern Nevada Health District announced that around 1,800 RSV infections were detected in November, a 200% increase over the same period last year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, extra precautions such as face masks helped keep respiratory diseases to a minimum.

RSV instances are up 200% from last November, according to the SNHD.
The Governor’s Office, NHA, and other parties met last week to resolve the issue.

“Applicants who meet the legal requirements of the law will be awarded a temporary license. The rapid processing will allow nurses to begin caring for patients as soon as possible “as stated by the Governor’s Office

RSV infections, in particular, have overwhelmed pediatric hospital beds, forcing some pediatric institutions to place older children in adult beds.

According to the NHA, overall hospital occupancy rates in the state are 71%, with intensive care units at 77%. Pediatric rooms and ICUs were at or near capacity.

Credits: 8 News Now