A RESOLUTION

 

1Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the
2issue of professional bedside nurse staffing; and to report
3to the House of Representatives with its findings and
4recommendations to implement potential changes in State laws,
5practices, policies and procedures relating to safe nurse
6staffing.

7WHEREAS, Recent reports describe an association between
8staffing reductions and unsafe levels of staffing and higher
9rates of adverse outcomes for patients; and

10WHEREAS, The odds of a professional bedside nurse making an
11error during a shift of 12.5 hours or more are three times
12greater than during a shift of 8.5 hours or less; and

13WHEREAS, Professional bedside nurse staffing levels are the
14average number of patients under the license of a single non-
15supervisory professional bedside nurse at any given time, over a
16single shift in a given hospital; therefore be it

17RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
18recent reports of serious adverse events in hospitals and the

1connection these adverse events have to professional bedside
2nurse staffing; and be it further

3RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
4demographics and length of stay for professional bedside nurses;
5and be it further

6RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
7lengths of shifts and overtime requirements for professional
8bedside nurses, per unit; and be it further

9RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
10professional bedside nurse staffing levels that are implemented
11on a regular and consistent basis in a variety of hospitals in
12this Commonwealth, reviewed over differing shifts and across all
13hospital units; and be it further

14RESOLVED, That the final report include recommendations to
15implement potential changes in State laws, practices, policies
16and procedures relating to professional nurse staffing; and be
17it further

18RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue
19the report to the House of Representatives with its findings and
20recommendations no later than <-six months one year after adoption
21of this resolution.