About the story ...
The Beacon Journal spent more than nine hours interviewing registered nurses during four face-to-face meetings. The nine nurses — who have a combined 86 years of experience in Summa Akron City Hospital’s Emergency Department — said they decided to go public with their concerns because they hope to force changes in the ER.
The RNs, who make up 10 percent of Akron City’s ER nursing staff, asked that their names not be published because they fear losing their jobs. The Beacon Journal granted their request so this story could be told. The nurses presented Summa photo IDs showing they are Summa RNs. Their names were blocked out to protect their identities.
Beacon Journal reporters then raised the nurses’ concerns during an interview with Summa’s Dr. Dave Custodio, interim chair of the Akron City’s Emergency Department; Lanie Ward, Summa vice president and chief nursing officer; and Dr. Dave Scott, chief administrative officer of US Acute Care Solutions and the most senior USACS physician now working regularly at Akron City’s ER.
If you are Summa employee or patient who would like to share what you’ve experienced at Akron City’s ER since Jan. 1, email your story to newstips@thebeaconjournal.com