Nurses Union Response to Study Showing Lack of Staff Ratios in NJ and PA Costs Lives

Statement of Ann Twomey, President of HPAE, NJ's largest nursing union in response to University of Penn Study showing higher mortality in NJ and Pa patients due to lower staffing ratios.

"This study demonstrates what nurses - and their patients - have always known - too few nurses means compromised patient care - even unnecessary deaths," said Ann Twomey, president of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees, which represents 12,000 nurses and health care workers in NJ and Pa. "For years in NJ and PA, we have advocated for legislation to establish safe nurse-to-patient ratios, and nurses have gone on strike fighting for safe staffing. Many of our union contracts contain nurse-to-patient staffing ratios, and we see the positive difference it makes in patient care quality. Yet, when we look for state legislation, we are told 'Where's your proof?'"

"This study is proof upon proof - It follows a series of studies all demonstrating that too many patients and two few nurses represents a dangerous combination for patients- and a costly one for our health care system. It is past time for NJ and Pa to listen and act on legislation sponsored by Senators Weinberg and Vitale and Assembly members Greenstein and Moriarty to enact safe staffing legislation and save lives."

Background: A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing comparing nurse-to-patient staffing levels in California, Pennsylvania and NJ showed a 13.9% higher mortality for surgical patients in NJ - and 10.6% in Pennsylvania due to higher patient workloads for nurses in these states, when compared to California.

California's law requires hospitals to establish minimum levels of 1 RN for every 5 patients on a medical-surgical unit; or 2 patients to every nurse in an Intensive Care Unit. When reviewed, nurses in NJ and Pennsylvania had 2 more patients on average on a medical surgical unit, for example, resulting in higher mortality rates. According to nurses responses', the higher patient ratios also resulted in more nurse burnout, and missed changes in patients' conditions, as well as more nurses reporting a desire to leave their jobs.

Click here to view the full study