It ensures a one-to-one nurse-to-patient ratio in the resuscitation bed.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) has implemented safety staffing levels, making it the latest hospital in NSW to adopt the Minnesota Labor government’s health reform.
RPA recently recruited more than 21 full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses in its emergency room to meet safety staffing requirements.
The initiative ensures a one-to-one nurse-to-patient ratio of occupied resuscitation beds, while occupied ED treatment space and short-term unit beds ensure a one-to-third ratio.
The Safety Staffing Level Working Group includes the NSW Nurse and Midwives Association (NSWNMA), the NSW Health and Local Health District, which is monitoring the promotion. The government has committed to hiring 2,480 FTE nurses within four years, starting with the emergency department of Level 5 and Level 6.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen the health care workforce, including funding 1,112 permanent nurse and midwife positions, removing salary caps, increasing salaries for health workers, adding 500 nursing staff in the region, and launching research subsidy programs for health workers.
RPA is the fourth hospital to complete the recruitment and roster safety staffing levels after John Hunter Hospital recently hired 48 FTE nurses.
“These safe staffing measures will provide improved staffing numbers to provide care for patients when needed while supporting our frontline staff,” Health Secretary Ryan Park said.
“RPA has the busiest ED in the state, and the new security staffing program is another measure to ensure patients continue to receive world class care.”
