Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act Policy Analysis Research Paper

Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act Policy Analysis - Research Paper Example While the bill intends to ensure that hospitals are maintaining appropriate staffing levels and staffing plans, it also guarantees that violators of the proposed law would be subject to monetary recompense for failing to abide by the provisions set forth in the bill. As further protectionist measures, H.R. 876 would specify available protections for employees of hospitals and patients for whistle blowing in the event of grievances or complaints, thereby ensuring that discrimination does not occur as a result of the proposed operational changes within the hospital environment and that no hospital retaliation should occur as a result of said grievances (Congress.gov, 2013). Hence, the bill ensures that there is accountability within the hospital administrative hierarchy for failing to abide by the language of this proposed piece of legislation.   H.R. 876 also clearly indicates the expectations for the role of the new hospital committees, including the establishment of a recurring ev aluation system to measure the success or failure of staffing plan implementations. At least once annually, these evaluations must occur, providing the framework by which staffing plan modifications are made (Library of Congress, 2013). The proposed legislation also sets out that overtime be considered by the committee, thus providing further protections for on-staff registered nurses and ensuring that the hospital maintains staffing structures that provide adequate relief during times of absence.   Reporting of staffing plans are also mandated by the bill to be submitted for public evaluation no later than 90 days after the date by which the committee has conducted its evaluation of staffing plan implementation (Library of Congress, 2013). If, according to the Secretary, any hospital has violated the provisions outlined in H.R. 876, they will be subject to a demand for corrective action to fix the violation and may also be subject to civil monetary penalties (Library of Congress, 2013). Hence, the bill provides the specific duties of the Secretary in ensuring that the legislation is adhered to