This paper examines legislation regarding nurse-to-patient ratios.
Written in 2007; 2,043 words; 14 sources; MLA; $ 64.95
Paper Summary:
The paper relates that California became the first state to mandate nurse-to-patient ratios. The paper explores the issues surrounding this policy, including the historical background, the stakeholders involved, why this is such a critical issue and how nurses can play an active role in ensuring this policy is adopted by all states in the union. The paper shows how mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios improve the quality of nursing and reduce the nursing shortage through greater retention and interest.
From the Paper:
"Nurse to patient ratios have been a source of controversy for over a decade, culminating in legislative action at the state and federal level and nursing associations. In 1999, California became the first state to mandate nurse to patient ratios (Sabin, 2004; Wilson, 2004; Dumpel, 2005; Gedhill, 2005; "Hospitals struggle," 2005; Evans, 2006). The legislation mandated that medical-surgical nurses no longer be responsible for more than five or six patients each. Research has shown the optimal workload for nurses to be four patients ("Nurse:Patient," 2006; Ritter-Teitel, 2004; Wilson, 2004). Increasing the patient count to six patients per registered nurse resulted in a 14% increase in mortality rate within 30 days of hospitalization, increased needle stick injuries among nurses and a significant increase in nursing sensitive patient complications such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, upper GI bleeding and patients going into shock ("Nurse:Patient," 2006; Ritter-Teitel, 2004; Wilson, 2004)."
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