STATEMENT FROM DEVAL PATRICK ON THE NURSE STAFFING RATIO LEGISLATION
BOSTONFriday, September 15, 2006The following is a statement from Deval Patrick, Democratic Candidate for Governor on the legislation concerning Nurse Staffing Ratios:
"My position on the nurse staffing ratios legislation has been consistent throughout the campaign. I did not support the original legislation because I believe that mandating staffing levels in an inherently fluid environment did not seem practical or workable. I have shared this position with the MNA and in public forums.
"Last spring, the MNA and the hospitals crafted a compromise which passed the House. I supported this compromise - and conveyed this support in a number of public forums. Though that compromise did not move in the Senate, I look forward to working with the MNA, legislators and others to revive it.
"My conversations with the Board and other members of the MNA, my own research, and my family's experience have convinced me of the need to address the staffing crisis confronting nurses and their patients. As I stated in my MNA questionnaire,
"Recent patient care studies highlight how nurse understaffing leads to increased rates of error, complications, lengths of stay and readmissions. I believe hospitals and their nursing staffs should work toward the best staffing ratios to serve patient needs.'"
http://www.devalpatrick.com/press_releases.cfm?ID=125