Advocacy Through Legislation: The Problem of Nurse-Patient Ratio in California

Advocacy Through Legislation: The Problem of Nurse-Patient Ratio in California
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Advocacy Through Legislation: The Problem of Nurse-Patient Ratio in California
Advocacy Through Legislation
Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation. Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.
Problem
In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the issue continues.

The complication of nurse-to-patient ratios refers to the number of nurses assigned to care for patients in hospital settings. Nurse-to-patient ratios are important because they can directly affect nurses’ working place and the quality-of-service patients receive. This issue directly impacts nurses as they are supposed to provide high-quality care to patients during their recovery periods. This issue also affects patients, as the overworked and stressed nurses may fail to provide quality care. More significant nurse-to-patient ratios are linked to lower patient death rates and complications, highlighting the importance of nurses having enough time to provide individualized care to each patient (Montgomery, 2019). The current consequences of the issue are that it creates a stressful work environment for the nurses, who too many patients outnumber, and it can cause a reduction in the quality of care for patients. Furthermore, it could lead to a shortage of nurses in the state, worsening the problem. If the issue continues, it could significantly impact both nurses and patients in California. High nurse burnout rates could also cause a shortage of qualified nurses, making it difficult for hospitals to provide adequate staffing. This action could lead to a decline in the overall quality of care and more errors, such as accidents and harm to the patients.

Idea for Addressing Solution
In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.

One possible response to the problem of nurse-to-patient ratios in California hospitals is to gather data and evidence on the impact of the current laws and use these findings to educate legislators and the public about the benefits of stricter ratios. This education could involve reaching out to media outlets and working with other healthcare organizations and advocacy groups to build support for the issue. Experts could use the collected data to support the connection between patient outcomes and improved nurse-to-patient ratios, which could be used to make a case for more stringent legislation. Another possible strategy would be to convince the California state legislature to pass new laws or modify laws related to nurse-to-patient ratios in healthcare facilities. Advocates could work with legislators to draft and promote bills that would increase the minimum percentage of nurses to patients and establish minimum staffing levels that account for the number of patients (Bartmess et al., 2021). They could also advocate for more funding for hospitals to hire additional nurses to meet the increased staffing requirements.
Legislation is the most effective and long-term course for justification because it can create systemic change. By passing new laws or modifying existing laws, advocates can ensure that nurse-to-patient ratios are improved across the state and that hospitals account for providing adequate staffing levels. Additionally, legislation can assist in ensuring that patients get the care they need, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay.

Research the Issue
Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.

Evidence 1

I conducted research concerning the connection between nurse-to-patient ratios and patient recovery rates. I discovered that raising the number of nurses per patient in hospitals was linked to reduced risks of patient death. I collected data on the number of nurses and patients in some local medical facilities in California, nurses’ satisfaction based on their population ratios, and efficiency levels in patient recovery. My comprehensive findings were that nurses are significantly outnumbered by the number of patients assigned to them in their respective workplaces, which often causes fatigue and demotivates them towards providing quality healthcare. Excess working hours also make nurses frequently want to quit their jobs. Fewer nurses compared to high numbers of patients assigned them, and nurses’ intentions to quit their jobs often significantly impact the high mortality rates across California and other states. These findings are a wake-up call towards establishing stricter laws towards balancing the number of nurses against the number of patients they need to attend to within the legal working hours.

Evidence 2

Other studies have also found that higher nurse-to-patient ratios are tied to better patient recovery processes, including lower infection rates, pneumonia, and shock. Furthermore, research has shown that nurses working in hospital units with lower nurse-to-patient ratios report higher job dissatisfaction, burnout, and intentions to leave their jobs. California is not the only state that has implemented nurse-to-patient ratio laws. Other states, such as Oregon, Hawaii, and Colorado, have also implemented such laws (Sloane et al., 2018). In 2018, California's Nurse Staffing Law was updated to set minimum staffing requirements by specific unit and patient acuity. Also, in 2020, a bill to create minimum staffing requirements in California healthcare facilities was introduced and is still under consideration. Comprehensively, this research supports the idea of addressing the issue of nurse-to-patient ratios in California hospitals through legislation. By increasing the number of nurses per patient and creating minimum staffing levels accounting for the patient population, hospitals would potentially offer enhanced quality patient care and improve nurses’ working conditions.



Stakeholder Support
Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.

Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1

Nurses
Nurses would fully push for stricter nurse-to-patient ratio laws because they are often at the frontlines of patient care and are directly affected by the current laws. By supporting tighter nurse-to-patient ratio policies, nurses can advocate for better working conditions and a more manageable workload, which can help to reduce burnout and dissatisfaction. Nonetheless, nurses have the best understanding of how many patients are ideal for them to provide the best quality of care.

Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2

Patients
Patients would also be key stakeholders in supporting stricter nurse-to-patient ratio laws. This support is because considerable nurse-to-patient proportions are linked to lower patient death rates and complications. Patients want to receive the best possible care, and a shortage of nurses could lead to delays in receiving care and a decrease in healthcare quality. By supporting stricter nurse-to-patient ratio laws, patients or patients’ families can advocate for more individualized care and a higher level of service from nurses. They also have the right to receive safe and high-quality care, and nurse-to-patient ratios are an essential factor in that.



Stakeholder Opposition
Discuss the stakeholders who would oppose the proposed idea. Explain why they would be in opposition and how you would prepare to debate or converse about these considerations.

Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1

Hospital Administrators
Hospital administrators would likely oppose stricter nurse-to-patient ratio laws because they are responsible for managing the finances and operations of a hospital, and they may see these laws as increasing costs and reducing flexibility. They may argue that the laws would be difficult to implement and too fixed to adapt to the varying acuity levels of patients. They could argue that the cost of hi...