CNA/NNU called today on federal, state, and county health agencies to adhere to the strictest guidelines in the handling of the first suspected Ebola virus case in the U.S. CNA/NNU pressed Kaiser Permanente S. Sacramento, where the patient is receiving care, for full transparency in the handling of the patient, including the number of shifts RNs and other healthcare workers have worked since Ebola was first suspected, as well as safe nurse staffing, and the availability of timely training, and education.

Three major bills that would greatly expand patient access to doctors and hospitals of their choice, and help protect health care workers from workplace violence and infection by the deadly MRSA virus, won key approvals in the California legislature today.

Registered nurses at Watsonville Community Hospital in Watsonville, Ca. will hold a three strike beginning today, August 14 in the latest protest against demands by hospital executives for sharp reductions in health coverage, and the hospital’s refusal to address concerns about patient care conditions, especially safe staffing. Nurses will speak out at a rally on thursday at noon in front of the hospital. The strike is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. this morning when RNs will start their picket line, and end Sunday at at 6:59 a.m.

Registered nurses at three Bay Area hospitals, Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, Sutter Tracy Community Hospital, and Watsonville Community Hospital will strike today, August 14 citing common concerns about safe staffing and other patient care needs. Watsonville RNs will strike for three days; Queen of the Valley and Sutter Tracy RNs will strike for one day. The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, (CNA/NNU), represents the RNs at all three hospitals.

The United States District Court, Northern District of California today set a hearing for 3:00 p.m. today to determine whether to grant a temporary restraining order to halt the closure of Doctor’s Medical Center in San Pablo.