HI SCR99

Urges the Department of Health to adopt rules establishing minimum, specific, and numerical licensed nurse-to-patient ratios by nurse classification and hospital unit for all licensed hospitals in Hawaii.

Rules should be adopted under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapters 321 and 457 and may include waivers for rural hospitals if patient health and safety are not jeopardized.

Minimum ratios established by the Department constitute baseline staffing; hospitals must assign additional staff based on a documented patient classification system considering illness severity, specialized equipment needs, clinical complexity, and required licensure.

All licensed hospitals must adopt written policies and procedures specifying the nurse-to-patient ratios determined by the Department.

New rules shall not replace existing ratios for intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, operating rooms, or licensed staff-to-patient ratios in state-operated mental health hospitals.