The National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations responded to an article alleging unfit nurses were finding work through staffing firms. The article, by nonprofit journalism organization ProPublica, appeared in The Los Angeles Times.

Here's the text of the letter to the editor of The Los Angeles Times from NATHO President Mark Stagen, who had been quoted in the article:

Dear Editor:

I take exception with the failure to provide adequate context to my published comment and with the categorization of the staffing industry as a haven for unfit nurses. For one, studies show temporary nurses are of the same caliber as full-time nurses. Nurses choose to work for agencies because of the flexible schedules offered. Many work extra shifts with an agency to supplement income and are the very same nurses that are full-time in another facility.

Second, the majority of staffing firms who maintain stringent screening policies face the same limitations as do ALL healthcare employers when it comes to license verification with the State Boards of Nursing. Reported misconduct can take years to be investigated -- during which time potential employers, hospitals and agencies alike, are NOT made aware of pending investigations. It would be in the best interest of national healthcare to focus on this systemic failure.

Mark Stagen
President, National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations

The report, which was published Dec. 5 and 6, had also drawn criticism from the American Staffing Association. That group also sent a letter to the editor of The Los Angeles Times. In addition, Mike Weinholtz, CEO of CHG Healthcare Services Inc. and ASA board member, appeared on a Southern California radio talk show to rebut the article and support the messages that a majority of staffing firms conduct proper screenings of their workers. The reporters who wrote the story also appeared on the show.

The ASA also provided a link to the radio program in its issue alert, for the radio show click here.

To see the ProPublica article, click here.