Test Drive Our New Site! We have some improvements in the works that we're excited for you to experience. Click here to try our new, faster, mobile friendly beta site. We will be maintaining our current version of the site thru the end of 2024, so you can switch back as our improvements continue.
Legislation Quick Search
10/14/2024 03:03 PM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=19122
Share:
Home / Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: October 14, 2015 12:54 PM
From: Senator Wayne D. Fontana
To: All Senate members
Subject: Reporting of Daily Nursing Ratios
 
In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation that would require hospitals to compile and maintain daily reports in each patient care unit, including:
  • Staffing levels for Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistants (CAN), and other unlicensed personnel responsible for direct patient care;
  • The ratio of patients to RNs, LPNs, CNAs and unlicensed direct care personnel;
  • RN, LPN and CAN turnover rates.

My bill would require that unit staffing reports be posted publically in patient care areas. The Department of Health would also compile and publish quarterly reports on staffing levels for each Pennsylvania hospital. This would provide potential patients with accurate information on where to seek care as well as prospective employees. In addition, whistle blower protections would be put in place to offer security for the hospital workforce who speak up about staffing quality of care issues in their facility.

I feel that this is a critical issue that needs addressed because numerous academic studies have shown that chronic short staffing is a major contribution to preventable hospital born infections, accidents, and patient deaths, all which drive up healthcare costs and diminish the quality of patient care. Furthermore, these transparency guidelines were recommended by the non-partisan Joint State Government Commission in 2014.

I hope you will consider joining me by co sponsoring this important legislation.




Introduced as SB1081