To Whom It May Concern,

The role of the nurse executive in patient safety is to help lead best practices and establish the right culture across multiple disciplines within the organization. A Kaiser nurse leader should be accountable for effective care while protecting the safety of patients, employees, and visitors. During this pandemic, strong leadership is not only essential, but a critical matter of life and death.

Please consider this letter and petition formal notice that we do not have confidence in Patricia Clausen’s ability to function in the role as our Chief Nurse Executive and leader. We have concluded that she unfortunately does not meet the standards required of the CNE working for Kaiser Permanente and we no longer have confidence in Ms. Clausen’s ability to fulfill her duties as our Chief Nurse Executive.

As Registered Nurses, we take great pride in the work we do and the care we provide to our patients and members of Kaiser Permanente. We have a duty to our members and the community to deliver the safest patient care possible. We strive to be a center of excellence that provides exemplary nursing care measured by the strength and quality of the work environment which, in turn, makes for better patient outcomes. Contrary to the tenets we abide by as nurses, we believe Ms. Clausen demonstrates poor leadership as evidenced by:
1. Legal and regulatory noncompliance, pervasive throughout the hospital. LAMC has been charged by the Federal Government with multiple counts of sexual harassment and failure to rectify, with investigations currently underway for egregious violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. LAMC has not complied with all federal laws and regulations administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or other federal agencies that administer healthcare programs, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as they relate to registered nurses in the workplace.
2. LAMC is under investigation by the CDC and Cal/OSHA for refusing to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and/or providing inadequate PPE to frontline Nurses treating COVID patients.
3. Administration purposely understaffs units and daily fails to provide break relief to ensure Nurses receive their legally mandated breaks and lunches at all times.
4. Management has ordered Nurses to wear the same N95 mask for multiple shifts without first reprocessing them in violation of CDC guidelines and Cal/OSHA regulations.
5. Management issues unjust, heavy handed discipline to Nurses who self-report medication errors and/or other mistakes associated with their practice and/or delivery of care in violation of Kaisers own Accountability in a Just Culture policy and Joint Commission certification requirements and standards.
6. Nurses do not have autonomy at the bedside to exercise their critical thinking skills and independent professional judgement.
7. LAMC has failed to hold its managers accountable and does not advocate for employees.
8. LAMC Administration, under Ms. Clausen’s leadership, does not provide for a heathy work environment.
9. Patient and population health advocacy is not a top priority for Ms. Clausen.
10. Safety, quality and risk management have been grossly deficient which has significantly worsened since the outbreak of COVID-19.
11. Nursing Administration has a long history of not providing adequate orientation for Nurses, RN competencies are often not validated prior to floating staff to new units and patient assignments are rarely based on acuity.

Inadequate leadership can contribute to adverse events in various ways. Kaiser Los Angeles Medical
Center requires a leader we can trust. WE, THE UNDERSIGNED call upon Kaiser administration to
recognize and value our dedication, professionalism and commitment to our members by removing Ms. Clausen from her responsibilities as the Chief Nurse Executive for Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center effective immediately.

We look forward to Kaiser Administration’s response to this statement of concern and petition of no confidence.

Sign with your full first and last name for authenticity and verification.

Sincerely,
Nurses of Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center