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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 19, 2018 03:55 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Maria Collett |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Nurse to Patient Ratios |
| In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation which would set the minimum ratio of nurses to patients in Pennsylvania Hospitals. There is compelling statistical evidence that patient safety is improved dramatically and the costs to hospitals are reduced as malpractice claims fall and unnecessary, uncompensated care is avoided. The bill will set different ratios depending on the nature of the unit; for instance, a neo-natal intensive care unit has a much lower ratio (1:2) than a pre-surgical unit (1:4). This bill is an important part of keeping hospital patients safe and ensuring they receive the best care possible. In addition, this represents an excellent way for hospitals to make an investment in patient care that will pay dividends in overall savings. A number of other states have already instituted such ratios. SB 214 in the previous session was sponsored by Senators Leach, Greenleaf, Yudichak, Fontana and Costa. If you have questions about this legislation, please contact my Legislative Director, Tom Holroyd at Tom.Holroyd@pasenate.com. |
Introduced as SB450