Safe Staffing

"There Oughta Be a Law..."

Are nurses expected to care for too many patients at a time?

Throughout the state of Ohio, nurses and patients are raising concerns
over inadequate staffing levels in our hospitals. Not enough nurses on
staff and long, demanding work shifts are affecting the level of care
provided by nurses. Cleveland Jobs with Justice has joined with
healthcare workers, community groups, unions, seniors organizations,
student groups and religious organizations to demand safe staffing
levels in our hospitals. While many units in many hospitals are staffed
safely, some are not. To correct this, nothing short of a state law
requiring safe nurse-to-patient ratios is acceptable.

Hospitals in Ohio must be required to maintain safe nurse-to-patient
ratios, of no less than:

1:4 on Medical/surgical units
1:2 on Critical Care units
1:3 on the Pediatric unit
1:1 on Labor & Delivery
1:4 in the ED (1:2 for critical patients in the ER)
1:3 in Step Down and Telemetry

Safe staffing means fewer complications, fewer infections, a lower
mortality rate, more nurses practicing nursing, fewer workplace injuries,
and better care for patients.