By: Nelson S.B. No. 198

(In the Senate - Filed January 11, 2007; January 29, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; February 13, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; February 13, 2007, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 198 By: Nelson

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the recognition of hospitals with outstanding nursing programs and a listing of hospital nursing staff information.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 104, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Sections 104.017 and 104.018 to read as follows:

Sec. 104.017. RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING HOSPITAL NURSING PROGRAMS. (a) The statewide health coordinating council shall establish a program to annually recognize hospitals with outstanding nursing programs.

(b) The criteria the council uses in determining whether a hospital's nursing program is eligible for recognition may include a hospital's:

(1) record of attracting and retaining nurses;

(2) implementation of an orientation program for nurses;

(3) implementation of a system to evaluate and address patient, physician, or nurse concerns relating to the quality of nursing practices and care;

(4) demonstration of concern for the health and workplace safety of nurses;

(5) inclusion of a chief nursing officer as a participating member of the hospital's executive team;

(6) demonstrated opportunities for professional development and advancement of nursing staff;

(7) recognition of individuals who exemplify excellence in nursing; and

(8) implementation of policies and procedures adopted to address nursing staff complaints.

(c) A copy of the criteria used under Subsection (b) must be made available on the council's Internet website and to a hospital on request.

(d) The council shall recognize a hospital with an outstanding nursing program by awarding a certificate and placing the hospital's name on the council's Internet website.

Sec. 104.018. LISTING OF HOSPITAL NURSING STAFF INFORMATION. (a) The statewide health coordinating council shall create and maintain on its Internet website a list of the information contained in each report submitted under Subsection (b).

(b) A hospital may, but is not required to, annually report to the council the following information for the calendar year preceding the report:

(1) the name and location of the hospital;

(2) the average, maximum, and minimum number of:

(A) registered nurses on the hospital's staff;

(B) vocational nurses on the hospital's staff; and

(C) advanced practice nurses on the hospital's staff;

(3) the nurse-to-patient ratio;

(4) the average number of years of nursing experience of the hospital's nursing staff; and

(5) other nursing staff information specified by the council.

(c) The report must be in the form prescribed by the council.

(d) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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