What is an ADO?
An ADO, or Assignment Despite Objection, is the form that documents a good faith effort on the part of a nurse to call attention to problems that affect patient care, safety or satisfaction. The goal is to fix these problems and ensure they don’t reoccur.
Find the form at wsna.to/ADOForm
ADOs are your friend
Fill them out every time – protect your colleagues, your patients and your license.
Your WSNA RN leadership team and nurse representative met with management and administration for our Conference Committee on Oct. 3 – let’s keep this campaign rolling!
What is the purpose of filling out an ADO?
As a magnet hospital, UWMC requires your input and considers it critical for decision making. The submitted ADO allows local unit officers to present the issues to the Conference Committee with specific details, rather than with anecdotal examples, and request verifiable outcomes.
ADOs provide documented evidence that a problem on a unit exists and initiates improvements. Once management has been presented with an issue, it is incumbent upon them to address the situation. Additionally, you are documenting the facts, which may be helpful to you if there is a negative outcome. The ADO is a concerted effort and protects nurses from retaliation. Once the ADO has been submitted management can’t deny knowing your concern.
Find the form at wsna.to/ADOForm
Steps to be taken before filling out an ADO
- Clarify what is being asked of yourself regarding your assignment
- Assess your capabilities, obstacles, acuity of patients and availability of ancillary staff
- Identify all possible options for meeting patients’ needs
- Make a decision, communicate the decision to your immediate supervisor and document the decision-making process
When to fill out an ADO
When you find yourself in a situation creates unsafe conditions for patients, or for you, complete the form as soon as possible. More than one nurse may sign the form.
Think of it as an S.O.S. – Short on Safety, Short on Supplies, Short on Staff
Find the form at wsna.to/ADOForm
Examples of when you should submit an ADO form
- When a charge nurse is unable to perform charge nurse duties, secondary to increased patient care assignment
- Inadequate nurse to patient ratios for patient acuity based on your clinical judgment; insufficient support staff
- You are not trained or experienced in the area assigned, or have not been oriented to this unit/case load
- Necessary equipment is not available (e.g.: supplies, IVs, medication availability), or you are not trained or experienced to use equipment in assigned area
- An assignment poses a serious threat to the health and safety of a patient under your direct care
- Coerced/mandatory overtime, or missed breaks
- Additional examples are at wsna.org/union/ado
How to submit an ADO
Fill out with as much detail as possible, have the immediate supervisor sign it, make two copies, leave a copy with the supervisor, keep the original and fax a copy to 206-575-1908.
You can also take a photos/scan and send via email to ado@wsna.org.
Find the form at wsna.to/ADOForm
Staffing Committee
We need two new WSNA members! Want to be part of creating change at UWMC? Contact WSNA Nurse Representative Ed Zercher at ezercher@wsna.org.
Don’t be fooled by the “Freedom Foundation”
Their efforts are to take away your contractual rights! We know that big money and corporate CEOs are attacking workers’ rights given the recent Janus decision by the US Supreme Court. Here in our state, the so-called Freedom Foundation is leading the fight against our interests and our freedom.
Many of you may have received a postcard mailing from the Freedom Foundation. Don’t be fooled.
The so-called Freedom Foundation does not care about working people, fair wages or safe working conditions. They oppose funding for public employee contracts, and lobbies against paid sick leave.
