The American Nurses Association announced its support of the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act, which would establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios nationwide.
The ANA said in a Nov. 1 news release that staffing ratios was "a solution to solve the current crisis…. Appropriate nurse staffing is achievable and necessary, but it requires a national response with solutions, standards, and policy. This response must recognize nurses as the drivers of solutions to adequate staffing."
Four states — Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington — have enacted nurse staffing ratios, but the ANA noted that enforcement is required to promote nurse retention, alleviate burnout and address other challenges.
They also said the act will examine best practices for nurse staffing and provide whistleblower protections to nurses who advocate for patient safety. In addition, work needs to be done to address workplace violence, mandatory overtime and compensation issues.