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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the recognition of hospitals with outstanding nursing |
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programs and a listing of hospital nursing staff information. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 104, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Sections 104.017 and 104.018 to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 104.017. RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING HOSPITAL NURSING |
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PROGRAMS. (a) The statewide health coordinating council shall |
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establish a program to annually recognize hospitals with |
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outstanding nursing programs. |
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(b) The criteria the council uses in determining whether a |
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hospital's nursing program is eligible for recognition may include |
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a hospital's: |
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(1) record of attracting and retaining nurses; |
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(2) implementation of an orientation program for |
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nurses; |
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(3) implementation of a system to evaluate and address |
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patient, physician, or nurse concerns relating to the quality of |
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nursing practices and care; |
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(4) demonstration of concern for the health and |
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workplace safety of nurses; |
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(5) inclusion of a chief nursing officer as a |
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participating member of the hospital's executive team; |
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(6) demonstrated opportunities for professional |
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development and advancement of nursing staff; |
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(7) recognition of individuals who exemplify |
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excellence in nursing; and |
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(8) implementation of policies and procedures adopted |
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to address nursing staff complaints. |
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(c) A copy of the criteria used under Subsection (b) must be |
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made available on the council's Internet website and to a hospital |
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on request. |
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(d) The council shall recognize a hospital with an |
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outstanding nursing program by awarding a certificate and placing |
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the hospital's name on the council's Internet website. |
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Sec. 104.018. LISTING OF HOSPITAL NURSING STAFF |
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INFORMATION. (a) The statewide health coordinating council shall |
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create and maintain on its Internet website a list of the |
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information contained in each report submitted under Subsection |
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(b). |
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(b) A hospital may, but is not required to, annually report |
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to the council the following information for the calendar year |
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preceding the report: |
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(1) the name and location of the hospital; |
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(2) the average, maximum, and minimum number of: |
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(A) registered nurses on the hospital's staff; |
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(B) vocational nurses on the hospital's staff; |
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and |
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(C) advanced practice nurses on the hospital's |
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staff; |
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(3) the nurse-to-patient ratio; |
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(4) the average number of years of nursing experience |
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of the hospital's nursing staff; and |
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(5) other nursing staff information specified by the |
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council. |
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(c) The report must be in the form prescribed by the |
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council. |
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(d) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |