AFT Healthcare's affiliate in Vermont scored a big a victory in May when the state Legislature passed a measure designed to force hospitals throughout the state to disclose healthcare staffing levels.

The bill, passed by the Vermont General Assembly on May 4 with strong backing by the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, requires hospitals to publicly disclose the number of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and licensed nursing assistants who provide direct care for each shift of every hospital unit. The information must be publicly posted each day, and staffing levels for the previous week included. The information must also compare the staffing level to appropriate industry benchmarks such as skill mix, nursing care hours per patient day or other system-centered measures.

If a facility fails to comply, the state department of health can revoke the facility's license or impose a fine of up to $25,000.

The legislation also requires that fines collected for violation of this measure be donated to a foundation created to advance the nursing profession and enhance patient safety.

The bill, H.227, now heads to the desk of Gov. Jim Douglas (R), who is expected to sign it.

"Studies show that the quality of patient care rises when more direct patient care staff are by the bedside," says Jennifer Henry, RN, president of the United Professions of Vermont/AFT. "Patients and their families should know just how many nurses and nursing assistants are by the bedside, and this bill provides them with that information."

The bill passed the Vermont House on Jan. 27, 2006, on a voice vote, but languished in the state Senate. Union officials called former governor Howard Dean to ask for his help in urging Vermont Democrats to give the bill a higher priority. Dean agreed to speak with his colleagues, and the bill passed the Senate unanimously on May 4.

The bill, more commonly known as a "public disclosure" bill, is only the third law of its kind to be enacted in the country. Similar laws were enacted in New Jersey and Illinois in 2005. The legislative effort behind the New Jeresey bill was spearheaded by the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE)/AFT, another AFT Healthcare affiliate.

(posted 05/16/06)