Letter supports Patient Safety Act

Hundreds of health care workers across the state of Pennsylvania, including more than 35 from Butler County, signed on to an open letter advocating for the passage of the Patient Safety Act (House Bill 106 and Senate Bill 240).

The letter, published in 11 newspapers across Pennsylvania over the weekend, cites the ongoing hospital staffing crisis and recommends the passage of the bill to establish staffing standards in hospitals and promote transparency.

The bipartisan bill promoted by the letter would set nurse-to-patient ratios for hospitals. State Reps. Marci Mustello, R-11th, and Jim Marshall, R-14th, were among the bill’s co-sponsors.

“Current unsafe hospital direct care registered nurse staffing practices have resulted in adverse patient outcome,” the bill reads. “Mandating adoption of uniform, minimum, numerical and specific registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratios by licensed hospital facilities is required for competent, safe, therapeutic and effective professional nursing care, for retention and recruitment of qualified direct care registered nurses and to improve patient outcomes.”

The letter encourages supporters to call Health Committee Chairwoman Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-65th, to tell her to pass the Patient Safety Act.

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