Several studies have revealed that nurse staffing levels are closely related to patient safety outcomes. If more patients are assigned to less nurses, the risk for errors is high putting the patients in greater danger of a life threatening complication.

To address the issue, the New York State Senate passed the Nursing Care Protection Act. This mandates health facilities to disclose staffing information to prosecutors and the public.

The staff listings include the numbers of RNs and LPNs providing care, the ratio of nurses to patients, and the number of unlicensed personnel providing direct care. The incidence of patient injuries as well as the measures being done by the institution to resolve their staffing issues should also be reported.

This bill protects both patients and nurses. It provides valuable job information to a prospective nursing employee about patient care standards and working environment. Patients, on the other hand, will be able to decide which hospital will provide the best care for them and their families.  Patients are provided better care if nurses on the facility are giving them more time and not rushing on to the next task due to lack of staffing.

The resolution of staffing issues is crucial to the not only for the promotion of patient safety but for the protection of nurses as well.