New Mexico Patient Safety Act could help with health care burnout
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Nurses in New Mexico are ready for a change of pace. That’s why they hope House Bill 138 makes it across the finish line.
“It’s just time for us to have something enforceable to hang our hat on that is not based on profits,” said Adrienne Enghouse, R.N., a United Health Professionals of New Mexico organizer.
The New Mexico Patient Safety Act limits the number of patients a nurse can care for on shift and requires hospitals to come up with staffing ratios. The bill recently passed its first committee.
“We believe, our workers have told us, it will fix all of the above: burn out, decrease workplace violence, gives them something to stand on to protect their license. Most importantly, we see this as a way to protect our patients,” said Enghouse.
A spokesman says UNM hospital does not support staffing ratios because they pose the risk of closing beds if staffing drops below required levels.
“Bed are already closed because nurses won’t work in those conditions. MRI’s are already shutdown because no one will take call. CT Scanners are already being denied because there aren’t enough staff because people won’t continue to work in these conditions,” Enghouse said.
UNM health goes onto to say a “one size fits all” model of care undermines the flexibility hospitals need to address the needs of their patients. Adding that the best thing for the nursing shortage is to expand their nursing program at UNM.
But the union says burnout ends careers faster than new nurses can get to the starting line.
UNM Health sent the following statement in response to HB 138:
“UNM Hospital does not support legislation mandating hospital staffing ratios, as such measures pose significant risks, including the potential closure of beds, reduced capacity to care for those in need, and limitations on accepting critical patients from across New Mexico. Staffing ratios fail to consider the varying levels of patient acuity—a critical factor in determining safe and appropriate care. A “one size fits all” model of care undermines the flexibility hospitals need to address the unique and dynamic needs of their patients. Maintaining adaptability in staffing is essential to continuing our mission of delivering exceptional care to our community.
SRMC, like every hospital across New Mexico and across our region, is always searching for the best and highest-qualified health professionals. UNM Hospital’s excellent benefits, positive culture, and diverse patient population make both our hospital campuses exceptional places to work.
Mandated staffing ratios will not fix health worker shortages or make health care more safe in New Mexico. For nearly five years, UNM Hospital has taken proactive steps to address higher patient volumes and work through the national health worker shortage. One key initiative has been expanding the nurse residency program in response to the UNM College of Nursing increasing its class sizes. This approach creates a sustainable nursing labor pipeline that strengthens our staffing capabilities. Additionally, we are collaborating with community partners to increase the availability of post-acute care discharge beds, which enhances hospital throughput. By improving the efficiency of care delivery, we are also reducing the length of hospital stays, enabling us to care for more patients.”