SB 527
Requires hospitals to implement a nurse-to-patient ration system
Sponsor:
LR Number:
1804S.01I
Last Action:
3/3/2005 - Second Read and Referred S Aging, Families, Mental & Public Health Committee
Journal Page:
S363
Title:
Calendar Position:
Effective Date:
August 28, 2005

Current Bill Summary

SB 527 - This act provides that hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers implement an acuity-based patient classification system in order to ensure adequate nurse to patient ratios. This act specifically enumerates minimum direct-care registered nurse-to-patient ratios for various units within a hospital or ambulatory surgical center. The Department of Health and Senior Services shall have the powers and duties to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the ratios.

As a condition of licensing, each hospital or ambulatory surgical center shall submit annually to the department a prospective staffing plan which is sufficient to meet the specified ratios.

This act also provides that hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers may be fined twenty-five thousand dollars for failing to adhere to a daily written nurse staffing plan as prescribed in Section 197.288, RSMo. The fines collected will be placed in the Health Initiatives Fund.

ADRIANE CROUSE

Amendments