Relating to staffing plans for health care provider entities.

HB 3985 sets specific nurse-to-patient ratios for direct care registered nurses in Oregon hospitals across different units. It requires, for example, one nurse per four patients (averaging over 12 hours) in general emergency department areas, one nurse per six patients for less serious cases in designated fast-track zones, and one nurse per two patients in intensive care units. The bill also specifies ratios for labor and delivery (1:1 during active labor), postpartum units (1:6 counting mother and baby separately), and other units like operating rooms (1:1). Hospitals can temporarily deviate from these ratios with committee approval but must reapply every two years, and nurses cannot be assigned beyond the specified limits. This directly affects hospitals, nurses, and patients by establishing enforceable staffing standards for healthcare providers.