Ratios?

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Hi, I currently work in Ca and our ratios on Telemetry are 4:1. I was just curious as to what, if any, ratios Az has. I am moving there in August, and people keep freaking me out that other states have NO ratios!

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in NICU.

What do you mean by having "no ratios"?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Meaning, rations that are mandated by law.

Now, in my ICU I have a strict ratio of 2 pts per one nurse, unless the pt is a 1:1.

But on the floors you can have 5, 6, 7, 8...

And there's not much we can do about it-other than find a new place to work.

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Hi, I currently work in Ca and our ratios on Telemetry are 4:1. I was just curious as to what, if any, ratios Az has. I am moving there in August, and people keep freaking me out that other states have NO ratios!

Thanks in advance!

I think hospitals are different throughout the valley regarding their staffing ratio policies. I know that facilities I have worked at have maintained a 1:1 or 1:2 in the ICU's. However, this ratio can change if the pt population is lighter. Staffing is really based on the acuity of the unit and not so much a strict staffing ratio.

On the telemetry units I usually see a 1:4 ratio during the day & 1:6 ratio on nights. Again, this is based on acuity of the unit. If the acuity drops you will see the ratio increasing.

When investigating specific places to work I think it is helpful if you ask the manager how they specifically staff. Find out if the facility has strict policies for ratios or is staffing based on pt acuity. Hope this helps.

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Hi, does anybody know if there is an actual law in place (in arizona), which mandates that ICU pt. have to be at a ratio of 1:2 at all times? Does anybody know what the state board of nursing says as far as how liable the charge nurse is for other nurses and pt.? We are being told that a Charge nurse is not liable for other nurses, I and the charge nurses disagree we just can't find anything in writing that would make this clear. Our facility is a high acuity ICU with almost daily cardiac surgeries and 1;1. Still they (administration) want the charge nurse to take at least one pt. herself if not two, and run the unit. I could not find anything in the nurse practice act of arizona, so if anybody has some information I would appreciacte that. Thank you.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

No law. It's just a standard of care. BTW, I take 2 patients when I am in charge as well.

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Specializes in retail NP.

I'm a tele/progressive cardiac care nurse. our ratios are 4:1, never more than that. On lucky nights you get 3, but those are pretty rare this time of year.:bugeyes:

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Arizona can get a ratio bill passed, IF nurses support it and help it pass. It is HB2041. you can do an allnurses search for more info.

There is a rally at the Phoenix capital bldg THIS thursday (valentine's day) at noon.

Do your research, and support this bill!:twocents:

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I found a few ratios for Arizona:

R9-10-208. Nursing Services

6. A general hospital has two registered nurses on duty at all times when there is more than one patient;

13. At least one registered nurse is present and accountable for the nursing services provided to a patient:

a. During the delivery of a neonate,

b. In an operating room, and

c. In a postanesthesia care unit;

If a hospital has a patient in a unit, there is a minimum of one registered nurse in the unit at all times;

12. If a hospital has more than one patient in a unit, there is a minimum of one registered nurse and one additional nursing personnel in the unit at all times;

R9-10-220. Intensive Care Services

In addition to the requirements in R9-10-208©, an intensive care unit is staffed:

a. With a minimum of one registered nurse assigned for every two patients; and

b. According to an acuity plan as required in R9-10-208;

http://www.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_09/9-10.htm

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I work in telemetry as a CNA at Maryvale hospital in PHX. The RN's have a MAX of 6 patients and as a norm 5 patients.

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Hi, does anybody know if there is an actual law in place (in arizona), which mandates that ICU pt. have to be at a ratio of 1:2 at all times? Does anybody know what the state board of nursing says as far as how liable the charge nurse is for other nurses and pt.? We are being told that a Charge nurse is not liable for other nurses, I and the charge nurses disagree we just can't find anything in writing that would make this clear. Our facility is a high acuity ICU with almost daily cardiac surgeries and 1;1. Still they (administration) want the charge nurse to take at least one pt. herself if not two, and run the unit. I could not find anything in the nurse practice act of arizona, so if anybody has some information I would appreciacte that. Thank you.

I previously looked it up...there is a law in AZ that mandates ICU ratios of 1:2 maximum. Says nothing about charge nurses.

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