H.R. 2123 would amend the Public Health Service Act to establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals.
Detailed Summary
Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement staffing plans that meet specified ratios for direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing levels for each unit and other requirements, including for receiving input from nurses. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to further limit such ratios as needed to ensure public safety and to establish ratios for units not specified. Provides an exception to such staffing requirements for a declared state of emergency. Requires hospitals to provide the Secretary with their staffing plan and annual updates. Requires the Secretary to conduct audits to ensure the implementation of adequate staffing plans.
Requires the Secretary: (1) acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to complete a study of licensed practical nurse staffing and its effects on patient care in hospitals; and (2) to establish requirements for hospitals based on the outcome of the study.
Requires the Secretary to adjust payments to cover additional Medicare costs that are attributable to this Act. Requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to submit to Congress and the Secretary a report estimating total costs and savings attributable to compliance with nurse staffing requirements.
Provides nurses with the right to refuse to accept assignments that would violate staffing requirements or for which they are not prepared. Prohibits retaliation by hospitals for such refusals or for reporting violations of staffing requirements.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 5/15/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Carolyn
Our health system is in dire need of reform,I have heard many nurses say that they are ready to get out of nursing because of the increased responsibility of taking care of greater number of patients during their shift. I have seen seasoned nurses retire and skilled ones give their notice and move to another facility looking for utopia (safe patient to staff ratio) they go from place to place, state to state, eventually end up disillusioned and starting a new career altogether.
Melinda Maranto RN
I have been a nurse for 7 years. I have been told if I refuse an assignment I would be fired and sued for neglect. This law directly affects me, and I am for it. I no longer work for a hospital due to the fact that I have no control over what I feel is safe. I had a patient appologize for asking me for help on the bed pan. She had an accident because she had to wait too long. I had 8 patients to do total care for that day. No patient should have to wait that long, nor should they have to appologize.