I am writing to urge people to contact their senators in the U.S. Senate in support of S. 739, the National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act, proposed by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif). This bill would establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, protect whistleblowers, and invest in nurse mentorship. The establishment of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios will improve the care we receive in the hospital, lower the rate of complications, and save lives. By improving working conditions, it will encourage nurses to remain in direct patient care. It will also create jobs for both new and experienced nurses, as currently, hospitals often place greater workloads on their current employees rather than hiring more nurses. These greater workloads both jeopardize the quality of patient care and lead to a high rate of burnout among bedside nurses.
While, at first glance, people may be concerned that this would increase the cost of health care, if we examine the research around staffing, minimum staffing ratios would actually lower cost. These cost savings come from the reduced rate of complications, shorter hospitals stays, reduction in errors, and lower rate of re-admissions that can be credited to minimum staffing ratios. National Nurses United has made this one of their key issues and have compiled fact sheets on the benefits. They are freely available at the National Nurses United website (www.nationalnursesunited.org).
Minimum staffing ratios have been in effect in California since January 2004, showing that they are an effective health care reform in the real world. The legislation proposed by Sen. Boxer would extend the benefits of reduced complications, improved patient outcomes, better working conditions, and more nursing jobs nation-wide. While debate over exactly how to reform our health care system has often been both heated and divisive, we all acknowledge that health care costs are rapidly rising and that not all of us receive the same quality of care. A measure that both reduces costs and improves outcomes is something we can all support.
Gabrielle Maggio
New Haven