An agreement was reached today on a landmark measure that will codify in state law safe patient limits for registered nurses who work in the all the state's hospital intensive care units, ensuring that no nurse can be assigned more than one patient or in certain circumstances, no more than two patients based on the assessment of the nurses on that unit.
The Massachusetts House passed a bill Wednesday night establishing statewide limits on the number of patients assigned to nurses in hospital intensive care units,
An agreement was reached today on a landmark measure that will codify in state law safe patient limits for registered nurses who work in the all the state's hospital intensive care units, ensuring that no nurse can be assigned more than one patient or in certain circumstances, no more than two patients based on the assessment of the nurses on that unit. Mass. House approves cap on nurse workload
The measure was passed in the house tonight and is expected to move next to the Senate.
What do you think about mandated staffing levels?
I say BRAVO to Mass. and I hope that other status follow suit! I can't believe that this hasn't been done yet. Healthy children in day care facilities are given staff:child ratios, but unstable patients can be stacked up 37:1. It's insane!
I would anticipate higher nurse/pt ratios on the other hospital units, to balance the extra cost in the ICU. But a victory is a victory, and any safe ratio mandate is something to celebrate. I hope the rest of us can enjoy the same security in the future.
it was rather disappointing that the safe staffing ratios were not for the entire hospital. it is the med/surg nurses that are getting the 6-7-8 patients at one time... but like someone commented that the Hospital Industry only bought a little time.. but I wonder how long it will take for an acuiety tool to be acquired... there are a lot of good ones out there...but more likely the hospitals will have to "develop" and "study" and "assess" for the best one...and who knows how long that will take.... but it is indeed a step into the big room. I just hope I see this safe staffing before I retire. Nurses worked so very hard to obtain all the required signatures... I too think that it would have passed if it was promoted and the public truely made aware of what really goes on..
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
it was rather disappointing that the safe staffing ratios were not for the entire hospital. it is the med/surg nurses that are getting the 6-7-8 patients at one time... but like someone commented that the Hospital Industry only bought a little time.. but I wonder how long it will take for an acuiety tool to be acquired... there are a lot of good ones out there...but more likely the hospitals will have to "develop" and "study" and "assess" for the best one...and who knows how long that will take.... but it is indeed a step into the big room. I just hope I see this safe staffing before I retire. Nurses worked so very hard to obtain all the required signatures... I too think that it would have passed if it was promoted and the public truely made aware of what really goes on..
I feel they sort of sold out as well...but I don't think they are done by any means.
Not_A_Hat_Person, RN
2,900 Posts
When my daughter was in the ICU the nurses had 2-3 patients, with no CNAs.
This is a good start. I hope mandatory ratios spread to LTC and rehab.