Senate committee approves measure on nurse staffing levels

Legislation on minimum nurse staffing levels at Minnesota hospitals is moving forward at the state Capitol.

A Senate committee Wednesday evening approved a measure that would direct the state health department to study the relationship between staff levels and patient health. And for the first time hospitals would have to disclose staffing information online.

However the bill's chief author stripped out a provision sought by the nurses union that would set minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

Wendy Burt of the Minnesota Hospital Association says the measure is a good compromise.

"We are pleased that the Minnesota Nurses Association has backed away from a uniform number that would apply to everyone and has just focused on reporting the staffing plans," Burt said.

A House committee will hear a similar version of the bill at 10 am Thursday.