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National legislation introduced May 6 that would establish minimum staffing levels on different hospital units.

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, May 12, 2004

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Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced national legislation on National Nurses Day May 6 that would establish minimum staffing levels on different hospital units.

Known as the Nurse Staffing for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2004, the measure would require hospitals to consult with staff to develop staffing plans that would meet patient needs.

In general, the measure would require hospitals to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for each shift for such units as critical care, emergency care, pediatrics, medical/surgical, and trauma.

According to a recent poll conducted by the National Consumers League and the AFL-CIO, about 45% of those with recent hospital experience believe that their safety or the safety of a family member was compromised by inadequate nurse staffing levels.

In addition, more than 75% said they support legislative action to improve nurse-to-patient staffing standards.

"Too many hospitals are resistant to establishing and enforcing safe staffing levels, says Greg Hamblet, international vice president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 100,000 healthcare industry workers.  "Federal legislation on this critical issue is long overdue.  We're losing too many good nurses and putting patients at risk because of inadequate staffing levels."    

A recent study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that hospitals with low nurse staffing levels have poorer patient outcomes.

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