Group Checks Nurse, Patient ratios

The country´s biggest union representing nurses is checking to make sure the state´s hospitals are complying with a new state law regulating the number of nurses on duty.

The California Nurses Association is surveying RNs at every hospital in the state. The association wants to determine if the hospitals are complying with the law that requires hospitals maintain a ratio of nurses on duty, compared to the number of patients they are caring for.

The so-called ratio law went into effect on January First. Two days before the new rules became law, the California HealthCare Association, a trade group for hospitals,filed suit.

The hospitals are arguing that requiring compliance at all times isn´t in keeping with the law´s original intent. A hearing date has been set for March 19th.