Praise for Joe Atkins

Inver Grove Heights’ State Rep. Joe Atkins deserves applause for his work as a champion for patients everywhere. Atkins sponsored and fought for the Staffing Disclosure Act that makes hospital staffing transparent to everyone through a public website. Hospitals will have to report how many nurses care for their patients and keep it posted for patients to see-before they ever set foot in a hospital. Consumers have a right to know where they can expect a minimum standard of care when they or a loved one is hospitalized. It’s a huge step toward protecting patient safety in our hospitals. Patients are coming in sicker, and nurses are more pressed for time than ever before. Atkins’ measure also requires the state Department of Health to study the relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes. There’s a direct correlation between how well a patient recovers and how much care they receive. The study comes out January, 2015. With Atkins work, Minnesota will be able to maintain quality healthcare for its citizens. Sincerely, Linda Hamilton President Minnesota Nurses Association