Among the many challenges confronting the profession, few cause such an intense response as the issue of staffing adequacy. Nurses throughout the country are speaking more and more publicly about their concerns that patient safety is being jeopardized by continuing cuts in nurse staffing. The issue is in the foreground in California because of a bill before the Legislature that would set minimum nurse-patient ratios in all hospital units. Currently, Title 22 requires a one to two nurse-patient ratio in critical care units only. Hospitals will continue to compete, but there will be a bar under which they cannot go.
Ratios are about putting nurses first.
The language in Title 22 is very effective language. If a hospital is in compliance with Title 22, they should have no problem. Looking for more Many staff nurses, however, do not feel protected by the mandates of Title 22. Martha Kuhl, RN, a nurse at Children s Hospital Oakland, does not feel supported by the acuity system. We have to check and clear IV pumps once an hour, for example.