Bill would potentially ban mandatory overtime for Ohio nurses
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some families and nurses fought Wednesday for a bill at the Ohio Statehouse that they say will keep nurses and patients safe.
One was Emma Jasper. She's still in high school but is working hard to share her mother's story.
"If I can take her story and have an impact on somebody else and hopefully make a change, then that is what I am going to do," said the 17-year-old.
In 2013, her mother, nurse Beth Jasper, was killed in a car crash.
Her daughter says she fell asleep at the wheel after working long hours and shifts at a Cincinnati-area hospital.
"My mom did not even have time to eat," said Jasper.
The 17-year-old testified with other supporters Wednesday before the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee, in the hopes of getting House Bill 144 passed.
It would ban mandatory overtime for nurses in Ohio. It's a move that supporters believe would allow nurses to say no to overtime if they are too tired to keep working, for example, without fear of retribution.
Supporters claim Ohio nurses are often required to work longer than their typical 12-hour shifts.
"The legislation addresses the issue of nurse fatigue and the use of mandatory overtime to fill gaps in staffing in hospitals," said Kelly Trautner, Interim CEO of the Ohio Nurses Association.
Trautner said the bill would make overtime the exception, not the rule..
"Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States," she said, citing a report, "and certainly mandatory overtime isn't the only or even the most significant factor, but it certainly is a factor we think we could control."
An Ohio Hospital Association spokesperson said they do have concerns, worrying that the definition of overtime is too broad.
That spokesperson told ABC6/FOX28 that they have been following this. ABC6/FOX28 was told that the bottom-line for hospitals is to focus on patient care, and at times when patient numbers can rapidly change, there are concerns about how this could impact that care, or if it could create a restrictive environment.
This was the second hearing where proponents testified. There could be another hearing, and potentially a vote. A positive vote would move the bill forward.
Stay with ABC6/FOX28 for updates on this developing story.
