Contact: Tom Bissonnette, RN
MNA Executive Director
517/349-5640 x14

or

Carol Feuss, MNA
Labor Communications Specialist
517/349-5640, ext. 21 or (cell) 517/230-4086

March 2, 2007

Nurses Association praises patient safety legislation

Okemos, MI – Michigan Nurses Association praised the introduction of legislation by Representative Lisa Wojno, RN (D-Macomb) which requires hospitals to meet minimum registered nurse-patient staffing ratios and places limits on mandatory overtime for nurses. Representatives Fred Miller (D-Macomb) and Doug Bennett (D-Muskegon) co-sponsored the bill.

HB 4339 amends the Public Health Code to require hospitals to develop staffing plans and implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratios to promote the safe care of patients throughout Michigan hospitals. The bill also prohibits mandatory overtime which forces nurses to work long consecutive hours, which puts both the nurses and their patients at risk for medical mistakes.

“Representative Wojno has fought tirelessly for safe patient care throughout her legislative career,” said Tom Bissonnette, RN, Michigan Nurses Association Executive Director. “We are delighted to work side by side with her as she pushes these important issues forward. Research shows that the changes embedded in this legislation will help save patient lives and will save money as mortality rates drop, medical errors are reduced, patients stay in the hospital for a shorter period of time, and nursing staff turnover dramatically drops.”

“The growing need for nurses is well documented. This bill will improve patient safety and retain nurses at the bedside by improving working conditions,” Bissonnette continued.

“It is amazing to me that some hospitals continue their unsafe staffing practices.” said Cheryl Johnson, RN, President of the Michigan Nurses Association. “Study after study has documented that nurse staffing directly impacts patient safety, yet hospitals have been slow to make the changes necessary to recruit and retain RNs to ensure patients are safe and well-cared for.”

The Senate version of this bill (SB 63) was introduced earlier this year by Senator Bruce Patterson (R-Canton). HB 4339 was referred to the House Committee on Labor.

Representative Wojno and Senator Patterson will talk with nurses from around the state about the legislation on Tuesday, March 6, at Michigan Nurses MARCH!

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