CT SB00855

Requires hospitals to report annually to the Department of Public Health on prospective nurse staffing plans with written certification that staffing is sufficient for adequate patient care, effective July 1, 2015.

Mandates hospitals establish staffing committees with at least 50% registered nurses providing direct patient care to develop nurse staffing plans that address skill mix, temporary staffing practices, administrative staffing levels, and input from direct care staff.

For plans implemented after January 1, 2016, hospitals must include specific data on the number and ratios of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and assistive personnel by patient care unit, plus methods for determining and adjusting staffing levels.

For plans implemented after January 1, 2017, hospitals must report differences between planned and actual staffing levels by patient care unit and describe actions to address staffing discrepancies.

Requires the Commissioner of Public Health to report annually to the joint standing committee on public health regarding hospital compliance with reporting requirements and recommendations for additional reporting needs, beginning January 1, 2016.