By The Star Staff
Carolina District Sen. Marissa “Marissita” Jiménez Santoni asked Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia over the weekend to include Senate Bill (SB) 1035, which establishes better working conditions for nurses in Puerto Rico, including a nurse-patient ratio.
“The issue of the work environment for nurses is vital to the health of patients. Shifts where a nurse has to care for 20 to 40 patients is totally unacceptable, because not only are these health professionals adversely affected, but the patients also do not have the service they deserve,” the New Progressive Party senator said. “Bill 1035 is a measure that begins to correct this deficiency by bringing the nurse-patient ratio to one similar to that of the states, as it should be. That is why I call on the governor to include this measure in those considered when calling for an extraordinary session.”
SB 1025 creates the “Law to Establish the Provision of Nursing Personnel for Patient Care in Medical Care Institutions-Hospitals,” which establishes as public policy the ample provision of nursing personnel in hospitals, establishing the minimum provision for each work unit and the work day of nursing personnel, as well as a new reality regarding overtime payments.
“This bill (SB 1035) was unanimously approved in the Senate (21-0), however, and very regrettably, the House of Representatives did not act on the measure,” Jiménez Santoni said. “We understand that this project is of vital importance for our patients and the health of the people, so it is worthwhile that it be included in the list of legislation that the governor will submit to the Legislature when he calls, as he has indicated that he is his inclination to do, an extraordinary session.”
“We have a commitment to the island’s nurses. It is not fair that in Puerto Rico the average salary of a nurse is $28,770 and in the States the compensation exceeds $81,000,” she added. “Likewise, in the States it is one nurse for every 2 or 3 patients in certain areas, not one for every 20 or 40 as it is in Puerto Rico.”
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