Ratio law in California is shown to prevent deaths
The ratio law in California that limits the number of patients per nurse was the subject of a research study and the findings support that the ratio is preventing deaths and improving nurse’s beliefs about their job performance. Victoria Colliver’s April 20, 2010 article “Pioneering Law on Nurses Found to Save Lives” describes the findings of the study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. The California nurses on a medical-surgical floor have 5 patients to every nurse and the differences between California and non-ratio states examined is definitely fuel to support ratios.
When ratios were first discussed, I thought the law would be loosely written so that hospitals could “meet” the law, but there would be no visible improvement for nurses or patients. That seems to be the case with Texas’ staffing law; I just don’t see any improvement and still receive multiple complaints from nurses that are being forced to work under unsafe staffing numbers and when they refuse the unsafe assignments they are charged with abandonment. The article notes that other states are considering ratios. Perhaps Texas will also consider changes to the law to protect nurses and patients, but history does not support this. Nurses need to be politically active and join associations that promote nursing and fight for nursing laws; just complaining will do no good, nurses must take action and support the associations that work on legislative issues on behalf of nursing in Texas. National organizations/associations will not focus on individual state issues so be sure to check into any association/organization you are thinking of joining to see what their legislative mandates/agendas are.