107th Congress
Patient Safety Act
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Support and cosponsor the Patient Safety Act, H.R.1804/S.863. As a registered nurse, I believe it is crucial that consumers have specific, relevant information on nurse staffing and patient outcomes. This will enable consumers to make informed decisions regarding health care facilities. |
On May 10, 2001, Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced a new version of the Patient Safety Act, H.R.1804/S.863.
The new bill would require health care institutions to make public specified information on staffing levels, mix and patient outcomes. At a minimum, they would have to make public:
- the number of registered nurses providing direct care;
- numbers of unlicensed personnel utilized to provide direct patient care;
- average number of patients per registered nurse providing direct patient care;
- patient mortality rate;
- incidence of adverse patient care incidents; and
- methods used for determining and adjusting staffing levels and patient care needs.
In addition, health care institutions would have to make public data regarding complaints filed with the state agency, the Health Care Financing Administration or an accrediting agency related to Medicare conditions of participation. The agency would then have to make public the results of any investigations or finding related to the complaint.
Recent studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between RN staffing levels and positive patient outcomes. This legislation is intended to allow consumers and researchers to have ready access to information on this issue.
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