UPMC Magee-Womens nurses seek staffing standards.

Nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens presented a proposal during contract negotiations asking for formal staffing standards that they say would cover about 900 nurses and advanced practitioners. UPMC said it sets staffing to match real-time needs and warned that fixed ratios can have unintended consequences.

Nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood are asking for formal staffing standards. They brought a proposal to UPMC leadership during a contract negotiation meeting. The nurses say the proposal would cover about 900 registered nurses and advanced practitioners and references standards such as those from the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. UPMC responded that staffing decisions are designed to match real-time needs and said fixed ratios can lead to unintended consequences. Key points: - Nurses presented a staffing-standards proposal to UPMC leadership during contract negotiations. - The proposal would cover about 900 registered nurses and advanced practitioners and cites AWHONN standards. - Nurses reported longer emergency department wait times, increased burnout, and higher turnover. - UPMC said it sets staffing to match real-time needs and cautioned that fixed ratios do not address the underlying nurse shortage. Summary: Nurses say formal ratios would allow more time for patient care and reflect practices at other local hospitals. UPMC reiterated its approach of matching staffing to real-time needs and cautioned about unintended consequences from fixed ratios. Undetermined at this time.