Proposed Res. No. 396-A
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation requiring the New York State Department of Health to establish safe staffing ratios to ensure all acute care facilities and nursing homes meet minimum safe staffing standards for nurses and all direct care staff.
Body
By Council Members Cabrera, Salamanca, Rivera, Ayala, Rose, Holden, Koo, Brannan, Maisel, Levine, Adams, Moya, Miller, Powers, Reynoso, Perkins, Eugene, Barron, Cumbo, Rosenthal, Kallos, Cornegy, Chin and Treyger
Whereas, The term "direct care staff" refers to workers under a variety of job titles, including nurse aides, nursing assistants and personal care aides, who provide hands-on care, services and support; and
Whereas, According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), inadequate nurse and other direct care staffing levels has led to poor patient outcomes; and
Whereas, In order to maintain low operating costs, hospitals will often reduce the number of nurses they employ because they comprise the largest clinical subgroup in hospitals; and
Whereas, Studies indicate that higher nursing workloads are associated with increased medication errors, increased rates of infection and even increased mortality rates; and
Whereas, According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, each patient added to a nurse's workload is associated with a seven percent increase in the likelihood of death within 30 days after release; and
Whereas, The New York Times has reported that nurses in New York City have treated up to 15 patients at a time; and
Whereas, According to a report published by Health Services Research in 2012, nursing homes that have safe staff ratios for nurses and all direct care staff have better quality facilities and improved functional status of the residents; and
Whereas, According to a study published ...
Click here for full text