The American Nurses Association announced that federal legislation giving registered nurses authority to influence staffing levels in hospitals has been introduced in Congress.
The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2013 aims to improve safety and quality through nurse committee-developed staffing plans. The bill would require hospitals to establish nurse staffing committees that would create nurse staffing plans by unit based on the number of patients, the severity of patients' conditions, the experience and skill level of the nurses, the availability of support staff and technological resources, according to the news release.
In addition, the bill would require hospitals to develop procedures for receiving and investigating complaints, would allow civil monetary penalties for knowing violations and would provide whistle-blower protections for those who file a complaint, according to the release.
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The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2013 aims to improve safety and quality through nurse committee-developed staffing plans. The bill would require hospitals to establish nurse staffing committees that would create nurse staffing plans by unit based on the number of patients, the severity of patients' conditions, the experience and skill level of the nurses, the availability of support staff and technological resources, according to the news release.
In addition, the bill would require hospitals to develop procedures for receiving and investigating complaints, would allow civil monetary penalties for knowing violations and would provide whistle-blower protections for those who file a complaint, according to the release.
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Union Demands Nurse-Patient Staffing Ratios in Washington, D.C.