HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1714

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Appropriations

Title: An act relating to nursing staffing practices at hospitals.

Brief Description: Concerning nursing staffing practices at hospitals.

Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Doglio, Ryu, Pollet, Peterson, McBride, Wylie, Stonier, Goodman, Sawyer, Bergquist, Gregerson, Sullivan, Lytton, Tharinger, Chapman, Lovick, Senn, Hansen, Sells, Frame, Fitzgibbon, Riccelli, Macri, Jinkins, Dolan, Stanford, Orwall, Ortiz-Self, Farrell, Slatter, Tarleton, Clibborn, Fey, Kilduff, Reeves, Pettigrew, Appleton, Robinson, Blake, Ormsby, Pellicciotti, Kloba, Hudgins and Santos.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/7/17, 2/17/17 [DPS];

Appropriations: 2/23/17, 2/24/17 [DPS(HCW)].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Requires all hospitals to implement nurse staffing plans beginning June 30, 2019.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Clibborn, Jinkins, Riccelli, Robinson, Slatter, Stonier and Tharinger.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Graves, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Harris, MacEwen, Maycumber and Rodne.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative DeBolt.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

Hospitals must establish nurse staffing committees to develop and oversee an annual patient care unit and shift-based nurse staffing plan (nurse staffing plan); conduct a semiannual review of the nurse staffing plan; and review, assess, and respond to staffing concerns. Nurse staffing plans must consider such factors as:

If the chief executive officer of the hospital does not approve the nurse staffing committee's plan, he or she must provide a written explanation to the committee. The hospital may not retaliate against employees performing duties in connection with the nurse staffing committee or an individual who notifies the nurse staffing committee or the hospital administration about concerns on nurse staffing.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The factors that must be considered in developing a nurse staffing plan are expanded to include the availability of other personnel supporting nursing services.

If a hospital does not adopt a nurse staffing committee's staffing plan, the hospital must adopt an alternate plan. Beginning June 30, 2019, a hospital must implement its nurse staffing plan and assign nursing personnel to patient care units according to the plan. Any adjustments in staffing levels required by the nurse staffing plan must be based upon the assessment of a registered nurse providing direct patient care on the particular unit. Beginning June 30, 2019, hospitals must submit their nurse staffing plans to the Department of Health (DOH) at least annually.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the DOH must initiate an investigation of the hospital's compliance with its nurse staffing plan. If a hospital is found to be out of compliance, it must submit a corrective action plan to the DOH. Failure to submit or to comply with a corrective action plan may result in fines of $100 per day.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill:

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 17, 2017.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Inadequate nurse staffing can cost patient lives through inadequate care and medical errors. Safe working conditions are linked to better patient care and lower costs. Nurse staffing committees, nurse staffing plans, and collective bargaining have not led to measurable changes in how staffing is developed. Nurses have experienced frustration with nurse staffing committees, which have not be sustained over time. Implementation of nurse staffing plans is inconsistent. Nurse staffing plans must be implemented. Hospitals are often administered by entities in other states, who make decisions on patient care remotely. A statewide regulatory plan is necessary. The current law does not have enough teeth. Nurse staffing ratios have worked in California. This bill is good for patients, nurses, and hospitals.

(Opposed) Hospitals are committed to patient safety and have worked with nurses to find a collaborative solution through the nurse staffing committees. Washington is not like California. Washington is a frontrunner in patient safety. A one-size-fits-all solution will not work for hospitals. For example, small hospitals in rural communities face different challenges than large hospitals in urban communities. Hospitals must use providers at the top of their licenses and must balance staff satisfaction in order to retain staff. This bill will limit a hospital's ability to provide nimble solutions to complicated problems. Minimum staffing ratios may cause hospitals to turn patients away. To improve patient care, a full complement of staff is necessary, not just minimum staff ratios.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Cindy Clark, Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199NW; Daniel O'Tool and Ann Tan Piazza, Washington State Nursing Association; Jeanette Moore, United Food and Commercial Workers; and Chris Barton, Service Employees International Union Nurse Alliance.

(Opposed) Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association; Melissa Strong, Mason General Hospital; and Alison Bradywood, Virginia Mason Hospital.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Health Care & Wellness be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Stokesbary, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Caldier, Cody, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Harris, Hudgins, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, Manweller, Pettigrew, Pollet, Sawyer, Schmick, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan, Tharinger, Vick, Volz and Wilcox.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Haler and Taylor.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Nealey.

Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Health Care & Wellness:

No new changes were recommended.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This legislation is critical for patient safety. The estimated number of complaints described in the fiscal note is far greater than the actual experience in Washington, and the fiscal impacts regarding the complaints will be negligible. This bill is a reasonable compromise; it is a small step towards patient safety. To date, there have only been six complaints regarding how nurses are staffed.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) The language in the bill is workable, and further discussions would be helpful. It is not clear which elements of nursing plans are subject to the complaints process. Additional clarity on that point is needed.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Lindsay Grad, Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1199 Northwest; and Melissa Johnson, Washington State Nurses Association.

(Other) Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.