Scenario
Your nursing leader has asked you to provide her with information regarding the legislation on Californias nursing union negotiated staffing ratios. You will prepare a policy briefing document that details the process and outcome associated with this piece of legislation. Your nursing leader will use this briefing document to guide her decision on whether this is a good policy to support in your state. Prepare a policy briefing document that:
Part One - Process of Legislation
Explains the critical concern(s) that prompted this legislation, who proposed the issue, as well as who drafted and sponsored this legislation.
Describes how long the process took and the steps taken from the initial idea to legislation implementation as well as the critical elements of the legislation that was passed.
Full Answer Section
- Quality of Care: Inadequate staffing negatively impacted the quality of patient care, including the ability to provide timely and effective interventions, monitor patients closely, and address patient concerns adequately.
Proponents:
- California Nurses Association (CNA): The CNA was the primary driving force behind the legislation, advocating for safe staffing ratios to protect both patients and nurses.
Legislative Process:
- Introduction: The legislation, known as Assembly Bill 394 (AB 394), was introduced by Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl in 1999.
- Legislative Process: The bill underwent extensive legislative scrutiny, including committee hearings, debates, and amendments.
- Passage: After several years of debate and negotiation, AB 394 was signed into law by Governor Gray Davis in 1999.
- Implementation: The law required the development of specific nurse-to-patient ratios for different types of hospital units, which were phased in over several years.
Critical Elements of the Legislation:
- Establishment of Minimum Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: The legislation established specific nurse-to-patient ratios for various hospital units, including medical-surgical, intensive care, and emergency departments.
- Enforcement Mechanisms: The law included provisions for enforcement, including fines for hospitals that failed to comply with the mandated ratios.
- Data Collection and Monitoring: The legislation required the collection and analysis of data on nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of the law.
This policy briefing provides a summary of the process and outcome associated with California's nurse staffing ratio legislation.