Res. No. 335
Resolution calling upon the State Senate to adopt the “Nursing Care Quality Protection Act” (S.3255), which would provide the public with information regarding nursing staffing levels at hospitals and nursing homes and prohibit those who are not registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) from portraying themselves to the public as "nurses."
By Council Members Quinn, Clarke, Oddo, Sears, Stewart, Vann, Palma, Addabbo, Avella, Barron, Brewer, Fidler, James, Lopez, Nelson, Perkins, Rivera, Weprin and Jackson
Whereas, As articulated in a May 30, 2002 article of the New England Journal of Medicine, short-staffing nurses can lead to dangerous, even deadly complications when overburdened nurses are unable to monitor patients closely and detect ailments early; and
Whereas, The disclosure of staffing ratios provides consumers with essential information needed to make informed decisions related to choice of hospitals and nursing homes; and
Whereas, The “Nursing Care Quality Protection Act,” S.3255, a bill currently before the New York State Senate, would require facilities to disclose the numbers of RNs and LPNs providing direct care, the ratio of patients per RNs and LPNs providing direct care and the number of unlicensed personnel utilized to provide direct patient care, as well as the methods the hospital uses for determining and adjusting staffing levels; and
Whereas, The legislation would also require facilities to disclose the number of adverse patient care incidents, such as medication errors and patient injuries; and
Whereas, In addition, facilities would be required to report data regarding complaints filed with state or federal regulatory agencies or accrediting agencies, and the investigations that resulted from such complaints, to the Commissioner of any state agency responsible for licensing or accrediting the facility or responsible for overseeing its delivery of services, as well as to the public; and
Whereas, Further, S.3255 would eliminate confusion and misrepresentation by prohibiting anyone who is not an RN or LPN from using the title "nurse" or any other title or abbreviation that would represent to the public that the person is authorized to practice nursing; and
Whereas, The State Assembly passed the “Nursing Care Quality Protection Act” (A.5591) on March 8, 2004; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State Senate to adopt the “Nursing Care Quality Protection Act” (S.3255), which would provide the public with information regarding nursing staffing levels at hospitals and nursing homes and prohibit those who are not registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) from portraying themselves to the public as "nurses."
CR
LS# 640
4/27/04