On May 28, 2008, the 127^th General Assembly of Ohio passed Sub. Bill 346 which addresses nurse staffing legislation. It was sponsored by Representative Jim Hughes (R-Columbus).  The bill was signed into law on June 12^th and became effective in 90 days.
Amendments were added before the bill left the Senate Health, Human Services & Aging Committee.  Senator Sue Morano (D-Lorain), a Registered Nurse, made these significant amendments that require:
1. 50% of the hospital-wide nursing care committee's membership must consist of direct patient care RNs, and
2. Hospitals must post in a conspicuous location a notice informing the public the availability of the nurse staffing plan and who to contact to obtain a copy of it.
This law focuses on safe staffing - not ratios - which is what we want for hospitals.  The American Nurses Association believes that the actual number or ratio of nurses to patients must be set at the unit level with RN input, rather than by the terms within legislation.  "One size doesn't fit all" when staffing ratios are concerned.  Since the specific needs of each patient care unit vary based on patient acuity, the experience of the nursing staff, the skill mix of the staff, available technology, and the support services available to nurses, staffing ratios will vary from department to department and from hospital to hospital.  Allowing the staff nurses to have a strong voice in the determination of appropriate staffing levels empowers them at last to have a decision-making role in the care they provide.
Research has supported that nurses are driven from the bedside when forced to work longer hours and care for sicker patients.  This law will allow the staff nurse to help with the decision about how care is delivered in their unit.  The Ohio Nurses Association along with the Ohio Hospital Association, and the Ohio Association of Nurse Executives worked collaboratively and diligently for the passage of this bill.
BEWARE!!! - There is a rebel organization that currently is professing that this law isn't enough.  They want actual ratios mandated when staffing is considered.  Staffing principles are the guiding forces for appropriate staffing - not actual ratios that mandate specific numbers of nurses no matter which patient care unit is considered.  Be cautious of this nursing organization and their tactics to gain your interest in advancing their initiatives.  If you need more information on this issue, please contact me at kayball@aol.com.

Mbentivegna@juno.com