Massachusetts grants hospitals flexibility with nurse staffing ratios

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge, Massachusetts hospitals may be eligible for exemption from the state’s mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in the intensive care unit, according to a Jan. 7 news release from Gov. Charlie Baker. 

Advertisement

The governor said a temporary exemption may be available to a hospital if it has capacity of less than 20 percent and first attests to the state it has suspended all nonessential elective invasive procedures.

Before requesting a temporary exemption, hospitals also must take “every reasonable step to expand capacity,” the governor said. Additionally, hospitals are required to follow mandated ratios in the ICU if  bed capacity increases, or if they resume nonessential elective invasive procedures.

State data as of Jan. 6 shows 2,386 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Massachusetts and 81 percent of ICU beds occupied.

 

More articles on workforce:
38,800 healthcare jobs added in December; hospitals see job gains 
Men continue to outpace women in healthcare job recovery
27 employees, 6 patients infected in COVID-19 outbreak at Ohio hospital

Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit

Advertisement

Next Up in Workforce

Advertisement

Comments are closed.