STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1748-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: H.R. No. 63

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.R. No. 63 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN THE STATE OF HAWAII TO IMPLEMENT THE "UTILIZATION GUIDE FOR THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION PRINCIPLES FOR SAFE STAFFING","

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to promote the delivery of safe, high-quality health care in Hawaii by urging health care facilities to establish direct-care registered nurse-to-patient staffing requirements based on the "Utilization Guide for the American Nurses Association Principles for Safe Staffing."

Kaiser Permanente and several concerned individuals supported this resolution. Queen's Medical Center supported the intent of this measure and requested an amendment. The Department of Health opposed this measure.

Your Committee heard testimony that two of the state's major health care facilities base their staffing ratios on the "Utilization Guide for the American Nurses Association Principles for Safe Staffing" but actual staffing levels are dependent on the evaluation of many factors.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 63 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair