Safe Staffing Saves Lives

While it is true that the economic recession has exacerbated financial instability in our hospitals, it is more important than ever that hospitals re-focus their efforts on bedside care, given the debate over medical errors, the introduction of health information technologies and the continuing issue of hospital financial problems that stem from mismanagement and waste.

Studies have demonstrated the clear link between understaffing and patient outcomes, and the additional costs to our healthcare system of preventable medical errors, and hospital re-admissions.

When CMS (Medicare) and state laws come into effect for non-payment for 'never' events, understaffing will have a clear and direct impact on the finances of our already fiscally vulnerable hospitals. In report after report, understaffing is linked to exactly the complications, infections and medical errors that will now be ineligible for reimbursement, as well as made public. (S2471/A3633, which the Governor is expected to sign on August 31.)

Both the public and nurses also know that our hospitals are understaffed. Both the Collaborating Center for Nursing in NJ and HPAE conducted surveys in which the majority of nurses say they are working short-staffed, affecting their ability to provide quality health care. Most recently, in January of 09, HPAE polled NJ registered voters, who also agreed - more than 55% said their own area hospital had too few staff - and 72% said nurses care for too many patients at a time.

HPAE has advocated for staffing ratios, both in our contracts and in legislation. S1233 (Vitale/Weinberg/Gordon/VanDrew) and A660 (Greenstein/Moriarity and 15 co-sponsors)requires that DHSS to adopt regulations that provide minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHSS facilities, and to establish acuity systems approved by the DHSS Commissioner to increase staffing to meet patient needs.
Hospitals have resisted staff ratio policies, citing costs, while ignoring the documented research showing the improved patient outcomes; reduction in medical errors and increased nurse retention - and the cost-savings related to these improvements.

In addition, HPAE proposes that hospital staff and collective bargaining representatives be allowed to accompany DHSS on complaint inspections that originate with staff, or relate to staffing or safety conditions, and to require hospitals to establish staffing committees, comprised of 50% front-line caregivers in health professional categories, to assure safe staffing in all areas of caregiving.

Join HPAE's effort to win safe staffing. Contact HPAE COPE representatives in your local or jotersen@hpae.org.

Numbers Matter
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Summary of Research Supporting Safe Staffing Ratios, 2007
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