New Nurse Staffing Standards in Hospitals: More Nurses, Safer Care.
This act introduces minimum requirements for the number of direct care nurses per patient in hospitals. The goal is to improve patient safety and quality of care, as well as enhance nurse job satisfaction. Hospitals will need to develop staffing plans and adhere to established ratios, potentially leading to better care for every patient.
Key points
Introduction of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, e.g., 1 nurse per 1 patient in trauma emergency units, 1 per 2 in critical care, 1 per 4 in medical-surgical units.
Prohibition of mandatory overtime for nurses to meet staffing requirements and prohibition of using video monitors as a substitute for direct patient observation by a nurse.
Nurses gain the right to refuse assignments if they believe it compromises patient safety or their license, without fear of retaliation from the hospital.
Hospitals will be required to post actual nurse staffing levels for each shift and maintain accurate records, accessible to patients and the public.
The act includes financial penalties for hospitals and individuals who knowingly violate the new provisions, as well as funding mechanisms for hospitals' additional costs.
Support for nurses through scholarship and stipend programs, nurse retention grants, and mentorship projects for new nurses.
Introduced
Citizen Poll