Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lemanu and Talauega Administration is keeping a hand in on the negotiation of issues regarding the shortage of nurses and the recent strike by nurses that has plagued LBJ hospital in recent weeks. Lt. Gov. Talauega E. V Ale commended DoH Director Motusa Tuileama Nua, LBJ CEO Moefaauo Bill Emmsley, and members of the board, for coming to a collective decision and proposing solutions.

Talauega held a follow-up meeting with the leaders of both the Department of Public Health (DoH) and LBJ Hospital to discuss proposed solutions to address issues raised by the executives from LBJ on major issues they are facing: Licensing of newly recruited Nurses from Fiji and the Nurses’ Walkout.

Hospital Chairman Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega reported the hospital’s ratio of nurses to patients is currently estimated at about 1 nurse to 12 patients (1:12), this is a violation of regulations in regards to safe staffing ratios which is currently 1:4.

“There was a temporary relief to staffing during the COVID-19 community outbreak earlier this year, but after the FEMA and medical teams departed, LBJ continued to operate with a total of 45 RNs. To address the shortage, LBJ began to recruit nurses from island nations in the Pacific.

“They recruited 21 nurses from the island of Fiji, all who are licensed RNs and have field experience. The issue they face is that these nurses are working as nursing assistants (CNAs) until they take the exam to practice medicine in a US territory.”

According to Dr. Tuiolosega, they would have to attend ASCC for six months prior to taking this exam.

The second matter is the Nurses’ Walkout.

The LBJ CEO “reported that they have met with the lead Nurses of the walkout and have listened to their grievances. To name a few: Nurses are overworked and under-resourced, leadership issues, and pay adjustments.”

A statement issued yesterday, outlined confirmation by Moefaauo that LBJ nurses have received their pay raises and the raise in salaries will assist in their retention efforts.

Moefaauo stated that in their efforts to recruit nurses, plans of advertising locally and abroad through a media blitz are in the pipeline.

“With the need for 67 nurses, Director of Health Motusa … confirmed that Public Health would provide 36 nurses (10 RN and 26 LPN) to assist LBJ.

“DoH Nursing Chief Margaret Sesepasara also confirmed that ASCC will provide 4 RNs, 2 RNs will come out of retirement, and 2 RNs from DoH special programs will all be assisting LBJ.”

The statement says Public Health will seek assistance from other clinics such as the Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.

Moefaauo requested allowing the hospital 30 days to implement and monitor the proposed plan as a result of the collaborative effort of both Public Health and LBJ, to provide a status report after the requested timeframe.

Talauega in his commending of Motusa, Moefaauo, and members of the LBJ board, for coming to a collective decision and proposing these solutions. He said, “There are two issues that we currently face, 1) retention and 2) recruitment.

“Please continue the collaborative work between our public health and our hospital to not only ensure the continuity of operations, but most importantly the well-being of both patients and nurses.”