Connecticut Enacts Law Requiring Nurse Staffing Plans
Meriden Record-Journal
Connecticut Enacts Law Requiring Nurse Staffing Plans
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:
Connecticut
Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at ensuring
adequate nurse staffing levels in the state's hospitals, the Meriden Record-Journal
reports. The new law requires all licensed Connecticut hospitals by
July 1, 2009, to provide the Department of Public Health with a
detailed nurse staffing plan outlining how the facility plans to
provide "adequate and appropriate nursing services in the ensuing
licensing period." In addition, the law stipulates that, in creating
its plan, each hospital must form a committee in which at least half of
the members are nurses whose primary responsibility is direct patient
care. Rell expects the plans to help officials pinpoint opportunities
to improve care quality and efficiency, adding that it "puts common
sense to work to make sure our health care system is doing its job, now
and in the future." (Kurz, Meriden Record-Journal, 6/11/08; Governor's office release, 6/11/08)
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