Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 22, 2021 10:34 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Hospital Staffing |
| A recent American Nurses Association survey found that 54% of respondents said they felt like they did not have enough time with each patient. This must change. Ensuring care to those in the hospital is of the utmost importance. We have all heard reports of understaffed hospitals and how this affects outcomes for hospitalized patients. That is why I will be introducing legislation that will require hospitals to keep daily records of staffing levels in each of its departments. Currently, California is the only state that requires minimum staffing ratios on all hospital units at all times. Said a different way, my legislation simply requires hospitals to keep a record of staffing ratios each day for each unit; it does not implement staffing ratio requirements. Additionally, my legislation offers whistleblower protection to those who might expose management for purposely keeping staffing levels low. While I recognize the pressure on hospital administrators to run an efficient organization, profits cannot be prioritized over the safety and wellbeing of those who are hospitalized. My language is identical to that found in HB 996. I look forward to moving this legislation forward and thank you for your support. |