Mandatory Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios for Hospital Safety and Quality Care
This law establishes mandatory federal minimum ratios of registered nurses to patients across hospital units to ensure higher quality care and patient safety. Hospitals must comply with these standards, and nurses are granted protection from discharge or discrimination if they refuse assignments that violate these standards or compromise safety. Citizens can report violations via a dedicated hotline, and hospitals must post staffing information.
Key points
Establishes fixed minimum nurse-to-patient ratios (e.g., 1:2 in critical care, 1:4 in medical-surgical units) to enhance patient safety.
Prohibits hospitals from using mandatory overtime to meet staffing requirements and provides protection from retaliation for nurses who report violations or refuse dangerous assignments.
Hospitals must publicly post actual nurse staffing levels for every shift, and the costs of compliance will be addressed through adjustments to Medicare payments.
Expired
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