D.C. nurses are rallying support for a City Council bill that would reduce the number of patients nurses can care for at a time — and save lives.
Area RNs say the Patient Protection Act is necessary to ensure they aren’t overexerting themselves at the cost of good patient care. The bill, introduced by Councilman Phil Mendelson, will set strict limits on nurse to patient ratios and provide framework for additional staffing based on individual patient needs.
Though it will deal primarily with nurses, the bill aims to improve public safety by ensuring overworked nurses are not tending to patients in need. RN Sandra Farwell told News4 she is, “stretched way beyond [her] abilities sometimes.”
The bill is modeled after a successful California law credited with saving thousands of patient lives and improving quality of care for patients.
But area hospitals and the Chamber of Commerce expressed reservations. Patient care cannot be a piece of legislation and enacting the bill could drive up medical costs by tens of millions, they say.
The Committee on Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs will hold a hearing on the Patient Protection Act June 11 at 9 a.m. in the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.). Both RNs and community supporters are welcome.
