Authors

  1. Gonzalez, Rose MPS, RN
  2. Kay, Margaret

Article Content

The New York State Assembly recently passed a bill that would require health care facilities to publicly disclose the number of RNs, licensed practical nurses, and unlicensed personnel providing patient care, as well as the hours of nursing care provided to each patient. The New York State Nurses Association applauds the passage of the measure because its enactment would give patients and their families vital information that would help them determine where they can receive the best available nursing care. Studies have shown that having too few RNs per unit leads to higher death rates and levels of patient complications. Furthermore, facilities would be required to report the incidence of these complications, such as medication errors, bedsores, and urinary tract infections. Finally, the bill would prevent health care workers from calling themselves nurses unless they are licensed RNs or LPNs, a much-needed protection for both the public and nurses.

  
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