Arizona Patient Protection Act introduced- Sets Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios

January 4, 2008

Arizona Patient Protection Act Introduced - HB 2041 Sets Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios, Ability for Nurses to Advocate for Urgent Patient Safety Measures
Arizona registered nurse leaders today announced the historic introduction of major legislation to make Arizona hospitals safer for patients and strengthen the ability of RNs to expose unsafe conditions and advocate for patient protections.

HB 2041, the Arizona Patient Protection Act, is sponsored by House member Tom Prezelski at the request of the National Nurses Organizing Committee/California Nurses Association.

Introduction of the bill was greeted by nurses across the state who have voiced increasing alarm about the erosion of care conditions in Arizona hospitals that they say put patients at risk and fan the nursing shortage as many RNs will no longer work in unsafe hospitals.

Among its major provisions, the Act:

* Mandates minimum, specific RN-to-patient staffing ratios which are widely seen by nurses and health care experts to be the most effective standard for safer nursing care and for promoting the retention and recruitment of RNs.
* Whistleblower protection for RNs who report unsafe hospital conditions or for refusing unsafe patient care assignments.
* Legal recognition of the right of RNs to act as advocates for their patients rather than for the economic interests of their hospital employer.

“Hospitals have a responsibility to staff properly in order for nurses to provide quality care for patients. Hospitals aren’t doing that,” said Diane Baker, an RN at Flagstaff Medical Center.
“The Arizona Patient Protection Act requires staffing levels, at all times, based on the acuity of the patient. This will save lives and allow us to provide the care that our fellow Arizonians deserve.” ...

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