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Pennsylvania Lawmakers Consider Nurse-Patient Ratio Legislation

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a measure that would establish mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios in select hospital units, the Harrisburg Citizen Voice reports. Sponsored by Rep. Tim Solobay (D-Canonsburg), the bill would establish ratios for 17 different hospital units. For example, emergency department nurses would be permitted to care for just three patients at any given time, while a nurse on a rehabilitation unit would be limited to five patients. The proposed measure, which applies to direct care nurses only, also would require hospitals to post their staffing plans and would impose penalties on those that fail to comply. According to the Citizen Voice, similar legislation has been introduced in previous legislative sessions, but ultimately failed. However, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania is lobbying for passage of the bill, and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Butler Township) has said that it will be a priority of his caucus (Swift, Harrisburg Citizen Voice, 1/11/09).

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