Ohio Sen. Mike Skindell, D-Lakewood, reintroduced legislation to mandate nurse-to-patient ratios, according to a Patch report.
Here are five things to know.
1. The legislation, Senate Bill 55 (previously Senate Bill 324), would mandate nurse-to-patient ratios and make it unlawful for hospitals to meet the requirements through institution of mandatory overtime, according to the report.
2. Under Senate Bill 55, a one-to-one nurse-to-patient ration would be required for visitors to the operating room, trauma or critical care. A one-to-one ration would also be mandated for unstable newborns and patients requiring resuscitation, according to the report. Additionally, the bill mandates a three-to-one nurse-patient ratio for pediatrics and pregnant patients.
3. If the legislation passed, hospitals would have to post the required ratios in a public, visible space, and could not lay off practical nurses or supporting personnel to help meet the ratio, reports Patch.
4, Overall, the legislation aims to prevent nurses from becoming overworked and overloaded with patients, the report states.
5. The bill was originally introduced last year.
For more on this story, read Chris Mosby's full report here.