Health and Fitness

Rep. Schakowsky Reintroduces the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act


Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 9, 2013 – Rep. Jan Schakowsky Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act:

“In honor of National Nurses Week, I reintroduced the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act today. This bill will help save the lives of patients by improving nursing care in our nation’s hospitals. I’m so proud to support the nurses who work every day to provide the best possible care to their patients. It’s time that hospitals develop nurse staffing plans that meets safe nurse-to-patient ratios to ensure quality care and patient safety.”

Background on the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act:

Two years after enactment (four years for rural hospitals) hospitals will be expected to develop and implement nurse staffing plans that must meet newly-established minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios, adjust staffing levels based on acuity of patients and other factors, and ensure quality care and patient safety.

Minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios: A hospital would be required during each shift, except during a declared emergency, to assign a direct care registered nurse to no more than the following number of patients in designated units:

• 1 patient in an operating room and trauma emergency unit

• 2 patients in all critical care units, intensive care, labor and delivery and post anesthesia units

• 3 patients in ante partum, emergency, pediatrics, step-down and telemetry units

• 4 patients in intermediate care nursery, medical/surgical and acute care psychiatric care units

• 5 patients in rehabilitation units

• 6 patients in postpartum (3 couplets) and well baby nursery units

Based on the outcome of a required study, staffing requirements will be established for licensed practical nurses and will be required to be implemented in all hospitals.

Staffing Plans Developed Together with Direct Care Nurses: Hospitals will be required to develop staffing plans within one year after date of enactment. Hospitals must involve direct care nurses and other direct care health care workers or their representatives in the development and the annual re-evaluation of their staffing plans. The plans must identify and employ an approved acuity system that will establish guidelines by which the hospital must increase staffing above the required minimums to meet nursing care requirements necessitated by patient need. The plans must factor in an appropriate skill mix of other health care workers to ensure that staffing levels account for patient care needs that do not require a direct care registered nurse. After two years, plans must comply with minimum ratio standards, but may need to increase those standards based on hospital specifics.

Enforcement: Uniform notices stating the requirements of this bill including the actual direct care nurse-to-patient ratios for each unit must be posted in a visible, conspicuous and accessible location for both patients and direct care staff.

Hospitals that fail to comply with the nurse staffing plan requirements could face a range of corrective action, including civil monetary penalties.

Whistleblower Protection: The bill provide whistleblower protection for nurses by securing a nurse’s right and obligation to refuse assignment if doing so would threaten the safety and health of a patient by violating the minimum ratios as set forth in this bill or if they are not professionally prepared to fulfill their assignment. The bill also provides protections to any hospital employee who reports a violation of this Act.

Reimbursement: The bill allows for hospitals to receive additional Medicare reimbursement related to costs incurred related to compliance with this bill. Such reimbursement will be based on recommendations by Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).

Promoting Nurse Workforce: The bill creates a preceptorship program that provides practical clinical experiences and training for students and early career nurses. The bill also creates a mentorship program to help new and transitioning nurses adapt to the hospital setting.

Source: schakowsky.house.gov

 


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