A ballot measure calling for mandated nurse staffing ratios at Massachusetts hospitals has sparked a close race among likely voters, according to a recent poll by WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
The poll, conducted in September among 506 likely Massachusetts voters, found 44 percent of respondents said they will vote "yes" on nurse staffing ratios. That's the same number of respondents who said they will vote "no." Twelve percent of respondents said they were undecided.
Question 1, proposed by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, calls for mandated nurse staffing ratios that would vary by unit, floor or department.
Supporters argue mandated nurse staffing ratios will improve patient care, and opponents say the ratios will worsen nurse care delivery, lead to longer emergency room wait times and hurt community hospitals and mental health facilities.
Voters will decide the ballot measure Nov. 6.
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