Representatives have passed a bill limiting the number of patients assigned to nurses in hospital intensive care units, according to a Boston Globe report.
Under the bill, nurses in hospital ICUs would be assigned one or two patients depending on their acuity. The legislation does not include fines for hospitals.
The Massachusetts Nurses Association believes limiting nurse workloads helps patient safety. The Massachusetts Hospital Association says the bill will unnecessarily drive up costs.
If the measure passes the Senate and is signed into law before July 2, the MNA has agreed to withdraw two ballot issues — one that would call for a nurse workload cap in all hospital units — not just ICUs — and another that would establish penalties for excessive profits and CEO pay, according to the report.
Earlier this week, prior to the compromise, the MNA launched an ad campaign attacking hospital executives.
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