Patient Safety: New Nurse Staffing Standards in Hospitals
This act aims to enhance patient safety in hospitals by establishing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. This means hospitals will be required to have more nurses on duty, leading to improved care and reduced medical errors. The act also includes protections for nurses who report concerns about staffing levels.
Key points
Establishes minimum, legally mandated nurse-to-patient ratios for various hospital units, e.g., 1 nurse per 1 patient in trauma emergency units, 1 per 2 in critical care, 1 per 4 in medical-surgical units.
Hospitals must develop and publicly disclose staffing plans, and maintain accurate records of actual nurse staffing levels per shift.
Provides whistleblower protections for nurses who raise patient safety concerns or refuse assignments if they believe it compromises patient safety or their license, without fear of retaliation.
Imposes civil money penalties on hospitals and individuals who knowingly violate the new staffing requirements.
Authorizes additional funding for hospitals, including federally operated ones, to comply with the new staffing requirements.
Expired
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