An Act To Address The Safety Of Nurses And Improve Patient Care By Enacting The Maine Quality Care Act

The Maine Quality Care Act (LD 1281) mandates that Maine hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, and ambulatory surgical facilities maintain a minimum of two direct care registered nurses in every patient care unit at all times and establish specific nurse-to-patient ratios. For instance, nurses must care for no more than one patient in critical care, operating rooms, or during conscious sedation, and no more than two patients in phase 2 postanesthesia care for adults. The bill defines key terms like "direct care registered nurse" and "patient care unit" to ensure consistent application of these staffing standards. This law directly affects health care facilities by requiring these concrete ratios to enhance patient safety and improve care quality.