File #: Res 0869-2007    Version: * Name: NYS Legislature to pass A.6119 and S.1551, collectively know as the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,” to ensure adequate nursing care at acute care facilities.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 5/30/2007
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 6119 and Senate Bill 1551, collectively know as the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,” to ensure adequate nursing care at acute care facilities.
Sponsors: Kendall Stewart, Vincent J. Gentile, Letitia James
Council Member Sponsors: 3

Res. No. 869

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 6119 and Senate Bill 1551, collectively know as the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,” to ensure adequate nursing care at acute care facilities.

 

By Council Members Stewart, Gentile and James

 

                     Whereas, Registered Nurses (RNs) are a vital component of the American health care system and are valued members of all acute care medical teams; and

                     Whereas, The nursing profession in New York State has failed to grow sufficiently over the past decade, leaving many hospitals and health care providers with a nursing shortage; and

                     Whereas, According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the nursing shortage and the accompanying inadequacy of nursing staff levels has lead to poor patient outcomes; and

                     Whereas, Studies indicate that higher nursing workloads are associated with increased medication errors, increased rates of infection and even increased mortality rates; and

                     Whereas, A report published by HHS indicates that better RN staffing policies, such as reducing the number of patients assigned to individual nurses, results in better patient outcomes and lower costs to health care providers; and

                     Whereas, Assembly Bill 6119 and Senate Bill 1551, collectively known as the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,” have been introduced in the New York State Legislature; and                     

                     Whereas, The Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act would require all acute care facilities in New York State to adopt specific nurse-to-patient ratios, set minimum staffing requirements and submit a staffing plan to the State Department of Health; and                     

                     Whereas, The Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act also includes such important provisions as allowing RNs to refuse work assignments if adequate staffing is not present, which safeguard the rights of nurses and patients alike; and

                     Whereas, Ensuring adequate nursing coverage for all patients is an important public health goal that will improve the quality of care in our City’s hospitals; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 6119 Senate Bill 1551, collectively know as the “Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act,” to ensure adequate nursing care at acute care facilities.

 

LS# 2782

JN

4/3/07