Ohio Nurse Staffing Laws - Need Help!!!

[Ginger35]

Hi,

I was wondering if any of you could give me any information where the law stands in Ohio as far as nurse to patient ratios. I am trying to find the laws on it (if any) and keep coming up with nothing.

Can anyone give me some direction? I am writing a paper and at a loss.....This is so frustrating!!!

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ginger

[Ginger35]

I need to mention that I am focusing on critical care areas. I know that the patient ratios are low and obviously low for a reason. However, I need to cite some sort of law here in Ohio or something that backs this rationale......

[pickledpepperRN]

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3727

I looked for a staffing section but can't find it.

Maybe the Board of Nursing can answer you.

[Ginger35]

Thanks Spacenurse,

I appreciate the URL and will probably use it in another area of the paper.

But I'm still unable to find anything regarding nurse to patient ratios / regulation - laws et al.......

[CRNA2BKY]

I think many states don't actually have laws about this; the hospitals have policy stating limits, but its not regulated by state law. Some states, such as CA, have more strict laws, and include patient ratios as a regulation. Check with the state board of nursing or an attorney specializing in medical/nursing law.

[LEN-RN]

There are laws, some depend on what type of facility, independent living, assisted living can have more patients to one nurse, compared to skilled units.

You can call Ohio Board of Nursing, or call an assisted living facility, they would be able to tell you how they differ from regular nursing homes.

[KR]

To the best of my knowledge, Ohio does not have staffing laws in place for nurse to patient ratios. Some other states do and ICU is usually 1 nurse for 2 patients, but Ohio does not. I agree with the others, contact the Ohio BON. Good luck with the paper!!