Quality and Safety – Staffing

11.11.2019  | PSOs Can Help Prevent Future Patient Safety Events
About 59% of U.S. hospitals participate in a patient safety organization (PSO) program, according to an analysis from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
11.04.2019  | Nurse Workforce Efforts in D.C. and on Beacon Hill
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 728, The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act.
10.14.2019  | A Ready-Made Solution to the Nursing Shortage
Legislation pending in the State House would quickly increase the supply of well-qualified nurses who would first have to undergo rigorous background checks, and then make the nurses available to fill vacancies in underserved areas.
09.30.2019  | Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital Achieves “Magnet” Status
The American Nurses Credentialing Center has designated Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital as a “Magnet” facility.
08.26.2019  | Magnet Hospitals: Dana-Farber Does It Again
In 2005, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute became the first cancer center in New England to receive Magnet status. Last week it received Magnet status for the fourth consecutive time.
07.01.2019  | New England Baptist Achieves Magnet Designation
Last week New England Baptist Hospital learned that it had fulfilled the tough requirements to earn "Magnet" designation from The American Nurses Credentialing Center.
05.27.2019  | Mass. Nurses are Third Highest Paid in U.S.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massachusetts has the third highest annual mean wage of RNs in U.S. states -- $92,140, trailing only California and Hawaii.
05.20.2019  | State Senate Debate Begins Tomorrow
The State Senate begins debate tomorrow on the Senate Ways & Means proposed state budget for FY2020 and the 1,100-plus amendments to it that have been filed.
05.13.2019  | Another Attempt at Ratio Plan 70% of Voters Rejected
The MNA tried to insert into the House budget an amendment that would re-open the door on the scientifically unsound ratio scheme and ultimately impose ratios on hospitals.
05.13.2019  | Hearing Today on Nurse Licensure Compact Bill
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure is holding a hearing today on SB.103 filed by Senator Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop) that would authorize Massachusetts to join 31 other states that have adopted the national Nurse Licen
03.18.2019  | Hospitals on Board With 3.1% Benchmark – With Caveats
The Health Policy Commission in coming months is scheduled to decide on whether the state’s healthcare cost growth benchmark – currently set at 3.1% – should remain at that level.
01.21.2019  | New Study Makes Recommendations to Address Clinician Burnout
A new paper released last week has raised the alarm on the pervasive problem of physician burnout.
12.17.2018  | Staffing Data for Every Hospital Unit is Easily Available
The PatientCareLink website now contains the budgeted staffing plans for nearly every unit of each hospital in Massachusetts for FY 2019.
12.03.2018  | Webinar Provides Up-Close Look at Violence and Violence Prevention
Recently, a national webinar hosted by the AHA’s Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET) featured MHA and Harrington Healthcare System’s Elise Wilson, R.N., who was violently attacked while caring for a patient.
11.12.2018  | Question 1 Defeated; Focus Returns to Host of Issues
By a 70-30 vote, Massachusetts communities in last week’s election rejected ballot Question 1.
11.05.2018  | Dozens of Reasons to Oppose Question 1 (And We Could Have Added More)
Care is fluid and ever-changing and should not be determined by a rigid number arrived at through popular vote. Vote NO on 1.
10.29.2018  | Globe Editorializes Against Question 1
Last week, The Boston Globe weighed in on Question 1 to urge a NO vote.
10.29.2018  | Concern from Pioneer Institute’s Archambault
The Pioneer Institute’s senior fellow on health care policy says Question 1 will adversely affect community hospitals outside of the Boston area.
10.29.2018  | At Southcoast, RNs, Health Centers, Political Leaders Oppose 1
Southcoast Health brought together nursing, business, health, and political leaders to show the community’s widespread opposition to Question 1.
10.29.2018  | Health Care For All and Health Law Advocates on Ballot Question 1
Health Care For All and Health Law Advocates on October 24 released a statement regarding Question 1.

Resources

Click on the links below for easy access to important information related to state healthcare issues and advocacy.


Visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts websites below to find information on legislative hearings and other meetings of interest to the healthcare community.


To guide your navigation of the legislative process and assist your advocacy efforts, please visit the following state websites: