The Michigan Legislature is considering legislation (House Bill 4550 / Senate Bill 334) led by state nursing unions to implement a minimum direct care nurse-to-patient ratio of 1 nurse to 3 non-critical / nontrauma patients or 1 RN to 1 critical care/trauma patient, with an additional RN for triage duties, as well as limiting hospitals from imposing mandatory overtime except during a declared state of emergency.
The Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA), while recognizing the strain on nurses, as well as the ongoing need to prevent healthcare errors, states that mandated staffing ratios is not a viable solution to address nursing shortages and may in fact lead to hospital closures, service reductions, and even longer wait times. MCEP, along with multiple other societies, has endorsed an MHA letter, aligned with a statement from ANA-Michigan, citing that patient care and access to care must not suffer. In an effort to address the issue, MHA has expanded its support for patient care technicians to earn a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or RN degree, as well as already registered LPNs to obtain an RN degree. Emergency Physicians recognize the benefits and drawbacks of such legislation as it has passed in other states and support continued research into safe patient care utilizing various staffing models.
We welcome input from our MCEP members online and in-person!
