FL S1342

Establishes requirement for each hospital to create a nurse staffing committee by September 1, 2015, with at least half the members being registered nurses currently providing direct patient care.

Requires the committee to develop and oversee an annual, shift-based nurse staffing plan based on patient census, acuity levels, skill mix, education and experience of staff, equipment needs, unit layout, national nursing guidelines, and hospital finances.

Mandates hospitals post the nurse staffing plan and daily shift schedule in employee areas on each patient care unit and publish the plan on the hospital website with anticipated staffing information available to patients and visitors.

Requires the committee to review and revise the staffing plan semiannually based on patient needs and evidence-based data, and to revise the plan if staffing was a contributing factor to sentinel events, employee injuries, or illnesses.

Takes effect July 1, 2015.