Nurse to Patient Staffing Ratio

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2014

This has gone to congress before.....the last time I believe it was 2008 right as the stock market and economy crashed. Let hope they can finally get something accomplished.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 7, 2014

I'm contacting my congressional representatives.

The next step is for it to pass and for is to keep pressure for it to pass; afterwards, the step afterwards to ENSURE that it's being upheld. :yes:

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 8, 2014

Sorry to burst your bubble but ANA is NOT in support of specific unit ratios.

Instead they support The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2013 (H.R. 1821)

crafted with input from ANA, has sponsors from both political parties who co-chair the House Nursing Caucus Reps. David Joyce (R-OH) and Lois Capps (D-CA), a nurse.

The bill would require hospitals to establish committees that would create unit-by-unit nurse staffing plans based on multiple factors,...

Safe Staffing Fact Sheet- American Nurses Association

Massive reductions in nursing budgets, combined with the challenges
presented by a growing nursing shortage have resulted in fewer nurses
working longer hours and caring for sicker patients. This situation
compromises care and contributes to the nursing shortage by creating
an environment that drives nurses from the bedside.

ANA and its Constituent & State Nurses Associations (C/SNAs) in the
states are promoting legislation to hold hospitals accountable for the
development and implementation of valid, reliable, unit-by-unit nurse
staffing plans. These staffing plans, based upon ANA's Principles for Nurse Staffing, are not mandated ratios. They are created in coordination
with direct care registered nurses (RNs) themselves, and based on each
unit’s unique circumstances and changing needs.

ANA Supports the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act which
would require Medicare participating hospitals, through a
committee comprised of at least 55% direct care nurses or their
representatives, establish and publicly report unity-by-unit
staffing plans.

These plans must:
• establish adjustable minimum numbers of RNs
• include input from direct care RNs or their exclusive
representatives.
• be based upon patient numbers and the variable intensity of care
needed.
• take into account the level of education, training and experience
• be based upon patient numbers and the variable intensity of care
needed.
• take into account the level of education, training and experience
of the RNs providing care.
•t ake into account the staffing levels and services provided by
other health care personnel associated with nursing care.
•Consider staffing levels recommended by specialty nursing
organizations.
• take into account unit and facility level staffing, quality and patient
outcome data and national comparisons as available.
• take into account other factors impacting the delivery of care,
including unit geography and available technology.
• ensure that RNs are not forced to work in units where they are
not trained or experience

Write your legislators: Safe Staffing

MatrixRn · Feb 8, 2014

I agree with the ANA approach to staffing, which basis staffing on acuity etc.

The other method is a static number. We should not be making nursing ratios a cookie cutter approach. This method would more than likely fail in a big way, because a nurse could have 3 patients on Tele and be running her legs off and the next day have 3 and have little to do. How long would the hospital pay our salaries for nurses who have little to do?

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Feb 16, 2014

And LTCs are not even addressed. They are amongst the most unsafe places in healthcare to work. And are recipients of govt funding, ie-medicaid/medicare

allnurses Guide · Feb 16, 2014

I don't think the current congress is not interested in a nurse staffing bill.

Now is the time to organize to get it done as soon as possiblt. Maybe state-by state.

There are two companion RATIO bills, on Senate and One House of Representatives.

RATIOS: Diagnosis | National Nurses United

SubSippi · Feb 17, 2014

I agree with the ANA approach to staffing, which basis staffing on acuity etc.
The other method is a static number. We should not be making nursing ratios a cookie cutter approach. This method would more than likely fail in a big way, because a nurse could have 3 patients on Tele and be running her legs off and the next day have 3 and have little to do. How long would the hospital pay our salaries for nurses who have little to do?

The only problem I see with using acuity to staff vs. numbers, is that acuity can be subjective. I could see that being taken advantage of more easily than numbers.

allnurses Guide · Feb 17, 2014

Before ratios every hospital I know of had "Core Staffing". They would always schedule a a certain number of staff.

It was different everywhere.

Now the core staffing was set by the Department of Health Services for each unit.

For example ICU is 1:2 or fewer patients per nurse. Med/surg is 1:5 or fewer patients per nurse.

Tele is 1:4 or fewer patients per nurse.

They are supposed to add staff to meed the needs of high acuity patients.

I don't know nurses who have little to do. I know nurses who stay over to finish documenting. It seems to take longer with the "time saving" computers.

Overland1, RN · Feb 21, 2014

...How long would the hospital pay our salaries for nurses who have little to do?

For a while... until the money runs out?

Nurse to Patient Staffing Ratio

Is your facility already in compliance with Bill H.R.1907.IH?