In response to concerns by nurses and the public over inadequate nurse staffing levels, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R) signed into law a bill requiring all hospitals in Vermont to publicly post the number of patients and nurses for every unit and shift.

Fletcher Allen Health Care nurses, represented by the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, played an essential role in the legislative victory. The nurses testified and flooded the statehouse switchboards with calls urging legislators to pass the bill. The goal of the legislation is to ensure adequate and safe staffing for patients. When the measure becomes law, Vermont citizens will be entitled to know the number of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and licensed nursing assistants who are providing direct care in every hospital unit.

“As nurses, we’ve always known that there’s a direct relationship between staffing levels and safe patient care. Now, the public will have the information they need to compare nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and can choose the safest place for their care,” says Jennifer Henry, VFNHP president.

AFT Healthcare chair Candice Owley, who is also an AFT vice president, says, “Easily accessible staffing levels will help force hospitals to end the dangerous practice of requiring nurses to care for too many patients. Short of specific staffing levels, every state should pass a consumer-friendly disclosure law.”

Vermont joins New Jersey and Illinois as the only states that have a nurse staffing public disclosure law.