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REGISTERED NURSES ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

Attention News Editors:

RNAO saddened by charges in Shore case; urges system-wide analysis

    TORONTO, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario

(RNAO) is saddened by the news that two nurses have been charged with criminal

negligence in the death of Lisa Shore, RNAO Executive Director Doris Grinspun

said today.

    "We are saddened for all the people involved in this case, which will now

take its course through the courts," said Grinspun. She added while she could

not comment on the specifics of this case, any case should be considered

within a context that includes larger system-wide issues in the delivery of

health care.

    She said critical incidents in health care are affected by multiple

factors, including clinical competence of nurses, their work environments,

their practice support systems, and their communication with other health-care

providers. RNAO is committed to working with health-care and educational

communities and the public to address all these areas.

    "It is crucial to remember that nurses come to work every day with the

intent and the commitment to give patients safe and high-quality care. It is

equally important to remember that nurses provide that care within a set of

circumstances in the health-care system," said Grinspun.





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For further information: Sine MacKinnon, Director of Communications, 
(416) 599-1925, ext. 209, (416) 829-6657 (cell), smackinnon@rnao.org