patient nurse ratio 4:1 in California next year?

U.S.A. California

Published

Specializes in med-surg.

patient nurse ratio 4:1 in California next year? Is that true? I know right now, it is 5:1/ Can everybody talks about the patient nurse ratio in your hospital and floor? Right now, my hospital med-surg floor it is 5:1 in the day shift and 6:1 in the night shift/

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By law staffing is by acuity of which the ratio is the minimum.

Look at the Ratios effectice January 1, 2004 for the regulations.

The FAQ's answer questions asked by hospital managers prior to implementation of the ratios.

(9) The licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in a step-down unit shall be 1:4 or fewer at all times. Commencing January 1, 2008, the licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in a step-down unit shall be 1:3 or fewer at all times. A “step down unit” is defined as a unit which is organized, operated, and maintained to provide for the monitoring and care of patients with moderate or potentially severe physiologic instability requiring technical support but not necessarily artificial life support.

(10) The licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in a telemetry unit shall be 1:5 or fewer at all times. Commencing January 1, 2008, the licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in a telemetry unit shall be 1:4 or fewer at all times. “Telemetry unit” is defined as a unit organized, operated, and maintained to provide care for and continuous cardiac monitoring of patients in a stable condition, having or suspected of having a cardiac condition or a disease requiring the electronic monitoring, recording, retrieval, and display of cardiac electrical signals.

(11) The licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in medical/surgical care units shall be 1:6 or fewer at all times. Commencing January 1, 2005, the licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in medical/surgical care units shall be 1:5 or fewer at all times. A medical/surgical unit is a unit with beds classified as medical/surgical in which patients, who require less care than that which is available in intensive care units, step-down units, or specialty care units receive 24 hour inpatient general medical services, post-surgical services, or both general medical and post-surgical services. These units may include mixed patient populations of diverse diagnoses and diverse age groups who require care appropriate to a medical/surgical unit.

(12) The licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in a specialty care unit shall be 1:5 or fewer at all times. Commencing January 1, 2008, the licensed nurse-to-patient ratio in a specialty care unit shall be 1:4 or fewer at all times. A specialty care unit is defined as a unit which is organized, operated, and maintained to provide care for a specific medical condition or a specific patient population. Services provided in these units are more specialized to meet the needs of patients with the specific condition or disease process than that which is required on medical/surgical units, and is not otherwise covered by subdivision (a).

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/lnc/NTP/default.htm

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Specializes in TELEMETRY.

Hey guys, well I work in a med/surg floor and the ratio is 5:1 nights and days...... But that doesn't mean I get a nurses aid with all of the patients.

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The first paragraph of the Title 22 section 70217 which licenses hospitals states, "s 70217. Nursing Service Staff.

(

a) Hospitals shall provide staffing by licensed nurses, within the scope of their licensure in accordance with the following nurse-to-patient ratios. Licensed nurse means a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse and, in psychiatric units only, a licensed psychiatric technician. Staffing for care not requiring a licensed nurse is not included within these ratios and shall be determined pursuant to the patient classification system.

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/lnc/NTP/default.htm

It says SHALL be determined, not MAY be.

If the registered nurse(s) assessing the patients determines the need for unlicensed personnel such as nursing assistants, clerks, or monitor observers your hospital is out of compliance.

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Specializes in ICU's,TELE,MED- SURG.

Only Cali has a mandate. I've seen up to 8-10 pts. on a med surg tele floor. No lying. I am looking forward to the day that I can pack and sell my home in Fl. and go perm in a Cali hospital like Sacramento, Chico, Roseville or Napa. I've seen up to 4 patients in an ICU and without a mandate, everyone suffers. I've worked in Cali more than once and loved it there. I've been working as a Nurse for 28 years so I know the salary will be way up there to virtually live anywhere. I'm also not ruling out Monterey for that matter. LA is a great place to visit because I have some family there but I also have family in the North which works out fine either way. LA is super congested with traffic which is always a shock every time I go.

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i've also seen cna's sent home with lower census..per administrative direction!! they've also not counted 'potential' discharges as inpatients to further jimmie the ratios..

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Hey guys, well I work in a med/surg floor and the ratio is 5:1 nights and days...... But that doesn't mean I get a nurses aid with all of the patients.

Look at the dates that are posted above with the 4:1; that goes into effect next year in 2008. Currently, it is 5:1 for the med-surg floors in CA.

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Look at the dates that are posted above with the 4:1; that goes into effect next year in 2008. Currently, it is 5:1 for the med-surg floors in CA.

Yes.

Starting January 1, 2008 the ratio will four or fewer patients per nurse in Telemetry and speacalty care units.

Medical- surgical will remain 1:5 or fewer day and night.

I think four is much safer based on experience and the attached study.

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How do you find out what the ratio will be for Louisiana? Still in school.

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I don't think Louisiana has nurse to patient ratios yet.

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California is the only state with a law right now. The best way to find out is to go the hospital you are interested in and walk around (if you don't already know a nurse there). You can also ask a nurse what the typical ratio is. I dont know one nurse that wouldn't tell you how many patients she has.

Michelle

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Specializes in Home health, Med/Surg.

If California goes 4:1 on med/surg you can bet it will be primary care with no CNAs. I dread the day I have to work without help. The CNAs on my unit are worth their weight in gold. I would rather have 6 patients with help than 4 patients alone any day.

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