Patient Safety: New Nurse Staffing Standards in Hospitals
This act establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals to enhance care quality and patient safety. Hospitals must develop and publicly disclose staffing plans, and nurses gain protection against retaliation for reporting concerns. The goal is to ensure adequate patient care and improve working conditions for nurses.
Key points
Mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in various hospital units, e.g., 1 nurse per 1 patient in trauma, 1 per 2 in critical care, 1 per 4 in medical-surgical units.
Hospitals are required to develop and publicly disclose staffing plans, considering patient acuity levels, and to re-evaluate and update them annually.
Nurses are protected if they refuse an assignment they believe compromises patient safety or their license, without fear of dismissal or retaliation.
Financial penalties for hospitals and individuals who knowingly violate the new regulations, with public disclosure of these violations.
Scholarship and grant programs to support nurse retention, including initiatives for new nurses and mentorship programs.
Introduced
Citizen Poll