September 09, 2021

 

Nicole Leftenant

3306 W Marie Dr.

Citrus Springs, FL, 34433

 

Congressman Daniel Webster

212 W Main Street, Suite 208A
Inverness, FL 34451

 

Dear Congressman Webster,

My name is Nicole Leftenant, and. I am writing this letter to you to ask for your support in mandating bill HB 875: Delivery of Nursing Services. This bill proposes many safety factors in hospital facilities that can increase patient safety such as mandated nurse-patient ratios, minimum staff requirements, as well as prohibiting mandatory overtime for nursing staff when understaffed (House Bill 875 (2017) - The Florida Senate, 2017). This bill can change the nursing dynamic in hospital facilities, especially in those dealing with the current COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on the ways this bill can enhance patient outcomes, as well as nursing outcomes, health care can be restored to its full potential. This bill died in 2017 when it was being reviewed by the Health Innovation Subcommittee. With your help, I think this bill can be brought back into review and positive changes can be made in our healthcare systems.

 

A nurse-patient ratio is defined as the number of patients each nurse is responsible for during a shift (Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: A State-by-State Guide, 2021). Typically, on medical/surgical units nurses practice on a ratio of up to 1:7, even up to 1:8. That means each nurse is responsible to assess, medicate, and monitor up to 7-8 patients during a given shift which is up to a 12-hour period at most acute care facilities. When nurses experience tremendous amounts of stress in their workplace due to difficulties such as inadequate patient-ratios, burnout is likely to occur (University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 2020). Burnout is the state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion caused by sustained work-related stressors (University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, 2020). Burnout can lead to decreased nurse retention as well as inadequate staffing. Moreover, inadequate patient ratios can lead to decreased patient safety. Evidence shows that hospitals that staff 1:8 nurse to patient ratios experience five additional deaths per 1,000 patients, then hospitals with a 1:4 nurse-patient ratio (Research Shows Safe Staffing Saves Lives, n.d.)​.  Ensuring patient safety is of utmost importance for nurses during a shift. When patient safety is compromised due to inadequate nurse-patient ratios, changes must happen. Since 2004 the state of California is the only state in the United States of America to mandate a minimum requirement for nurse-patient ratios. Since the mandate has been enacted, California hospitals have seen lower mortality rates, improved patient outcomes, as well as increased nurse retention (Aiken et al., 2010).

In conclusion, I am asking that you take a closer look into our Florida health care facilities. Research shows that nurses now more than ever, need this bill passed. Nursing is a career that takes great pride in providing quality patient care to those who are in need in our communities. When nurses are no longer able to feel joy in their work, it becomes an undesirable career. Please investigate this bill and consider how great our Florida health care system can be with mandated nurse-patient ratios. Thank you for your time, and I encourage you to provide me with any questions or feedback you may have.

 

Sincerely,

Nicole Leftenant, RN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Cimiotti, J. P., Clarke, S. P., Flynn, L., Seago, J. A., Spetz, J., & Smith, H. L. (2010). Implications of the California Nurse Staffing Mandate for Other States. Health Services Research, 45(4), 904–921. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2010.01114.x

House Bill 875 (2017) - The Florida Senate. (2017). Flsenate.gov. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/875/ByVersion

Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: A State-by-State Guide. (2021, January 14). Gale Healthcare Solutions. https://galehealthcaresolutions.com/nurse-to-patient-ratios-a-state-by-state-guide/

Research Shows Safe Staffing Saves Lives. (n.d.). New York State Nurses Association. https://www.nysna.org/experience-and-research-show-safe-staffing-ratios-work-0#.YTFK1feSnIU

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. (2020, July 30). Nurse Burnout: Risks, Causes, and Precautions. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. https://www.usa.edu/blog/nurse-burnout/