Hawaii Senate Bill SR175

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Working Group To Prepare And Develop Solutions And Make Recommendations For The Recruitment And Retention Of Nurses To Address The Shortage Of The Nursing And Health Care Workforce In The State.

Impact

The working group is tasked with examining various strategies that could have significant implications for health care policy in Hawaii. Notably, it will consider establishing minimum staff-to-patient ratios, a measure aimed at alleviating the workload on nurses and ensuring better patient care. By also exploring the idea of mandatory staffing committees in hospitals, the resolution aims to drive greater accountability in staffing practices. Another essential focus is on break and overtime provisions for healthcare personnel, which if implemented, could enhance job satisfaction and retention rates among nursing staff.

Summary

Senate Resolution 175, introduced in the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii, seeks to address the ongoing nursing shortage that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This resolution requests the Department of Health to convene a working group focused on the recruitment and retention of nurses as well as other health care workers. With the acknowledgment of the stress and job turnover that health care workers face, especially during and following the pandemic, this resolution aims to improve working conditions and, subsequently, patient care. The well-being of nurses and healthcare personnel is positioned as a central tenet of enhancing the state's healthcare system.

Contention

Although the resolution appears beneficial in addressing critical issues, it could face some contention regarding the balance of responsibilities among healthcare facilities. There may be concerns about the feasibility of mandated staff-to-patient ratios and how this could impact operational flexibility. Additionally, some stakeholders might argue about the potential financial implications of fulfilling the proposed staffing requirements or the capacity of facilities to implement these changes promptly. Thus, while the intent to improve working standards for nurses is clear, navigating the practicalities of such implementations may stir debate among health care providers and legislators.