HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

83

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

urging healthcare facilities in the State of Hawaii to implement the "Utilization Guide for the American NURSES ASSOCIATION Principles for Safe Staffing."

 

 

WHEREAS, there is a fundamental need to protect public health and safety by promoting quality healthcare and improving the delivery of healthcare services to patients in Hawaii's healthcare facilities; and

WHEREAS, hospital nurse staffing is a matter of major concern because of the effects it can have on patient safety and quality of care; and

WHEREAS, improved medical technology in healthcare delivery systems have resulted in higher acuity levels among patients; and

WHEREAS, acuity determines how much care a patient needs; the higher the acuity level, the greater the amount of care – often more specialized care - is required; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations report of 2002 concluded that the lack of direct care provided by registered nurses contributed to nearly a quarter of the unanticipated problems that resulted in injury or death to hospital patients; and

WHEREAS, establishing standards for direct-care registered-nurse-to-patient ratios that take into account acuity measures based on the American Nurses Association's staffing principles will protect nurses and patients from the possible harmful ramifications of unsafe staffing practices; and

WHEREAS, these standards will address the nursing shortage in Hawaii, aid in recruitment of new registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, and improve retention of nurses who are considering leaving direct patient care because of demands created by constantly inadequate and inappropriate staffing; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that patient safety and quality healthcare be ensured by establishing direct-care registered-nurse-to-patient staffing requirements in healthcare facilities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that healthcare facilities in the State of Hawaii are urged to implement the "Utilization Guide for the American Nurses Association Principles for Safe Staffing" and to submit annually data related to:

(1) Concerned staffing forms/documentation received from nurses providing direct patient care; and

(2) Use of traveling agency nurses and/or agency personnel (both local and mainland agencies), including:

(A) The number of hours worked;

(B) The amount of mandatory and voluntary overtime hours worked by all nurses providing direct patient care;

(C) The number and type of negative patient care outcomes; and

(D) The number of employee work-related injuries/absenteeism within a calendar year;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Hawaii's healthcare facilities are requested to work with stakeholders, including:

(1) The Department of Health (DOH)

(2) The Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH);

(3) The Hawaii State Center for Nursing (HSCN);

(4) The State Board of Nursing (BON); and

(5) The Hawaii Nurses' Association (HNA),

to address issues of appropriate staffing levels and patient safety; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Director of Health, President and Chief Executive Officer of HAH, Dean of the University of Hawaii's School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, Executive Officer of BON, and Executive Director of HNA.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Urging healthcare facilities in the State of Hawaii to implement the American Nurses Association Principles for Nurse Staffing as noted in the Utilization Guide for the American Nurses Association Principles for Safe Staffing.