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Turning Point: Safe Staffing Is Now a National Standard

The Joint Commission has finally said what nurses have known all along: Unsafe staffing is unsafe care. Employers like Kaiser and others can no longer treat staffing like a budget line. It’s now a national patient safety mandate — and UNAC/UHCP nurses will make sure it’s enforced.

Read the news about hospital accreditation staffing goals here: https://nurse.org/news/joint-commission-nurse-staffing-goals/

Turning Point: Safe Staffing Is Now a National Standard

  • For the first time ever, nurse staffing is a formal accreditation requirement for hospitals under the Joint Commission’s new National Performance Goal 12 (NPG 12).
  • Starting in 2026, hospitals — including Kaiser Permanente and other major health systems — must meet specific staffing standards to maintain accreditation.
  • This is not optional. If employers like Kaiser want to keep their accreditation, they must prove they have enough qualified staff to meet patient needs.
  • What nurses have said for years is now backed by the nation’s top accrediting body: safe staffing saves lives.

The Joint Commission Is Echoing What Nurses Have Always Known

  • Adequate staffing is no longer just a budget issue — it’s officially a patient safety mandate.
  • Hospitals must be “staffed to meet the needs of the patients they serve” with competent, qualified staff.
  • Nurse executives must ensure the right number and skill mix of RNs, LPNs, and other staff are available at all times.
  • Kaiser and other hospital employers can no longer hide behind “financial constraints” to justify unsafe ratios or excessive assignments.

The Data Backs Our Experiences

  • RN turnover was 27.1% in 2021.
  • 73% of hospitals reported rising nurse vacancy rates.
  • 89% of nurses said their organization was experiencing staffing shortages.
  • 52% of nurses were considering leaving their positions because of unsafe staffing (American Nurses Foundation, 2022).
  • The COVID-19 pandemic worsened existing staffing crises — and health systems like Kaiser were not immune.
  • Now, the Joint Commission is putting clear, enforceable standards in place.

NPG 12 Puts Leadership — Including Kaiser’s — on the Hook

  • Hospital leadership and nurse executives are now explicitly responsible for ensuring sufficient and qualified staff across all departments.
  • This applies to every service area — including emergency, surgical, outpatient, rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, infection prevention, dietetic services, and radiology.
  • Employers such as Kaiser and other hospital systems must provide:
    • Adequate numbers and skill mix
    • Qualified professionals in key service areas, including:
    • Pharmacy (led by a registered pharmacist)
    • Infection prevention (led by a qualified infection preventionist)
    • Dietetic services (led by a qualified dietitian)
    • Surgical services (supervised by experienced RNs or physicians)
    • A clear, measurable staffing plan tied to patient care needs
    • This shifts accountability away from the bedside nurse and directly to C-suite leadership — including Kaiser executives.

NPG 12.02.01: Nursing Leadership Must Lead Staffing Reform

  • The nurse executive (a licensed RN) must:
    • Oversee all nursing operations and staffing levels
    • Ensure 24/7 RN supervision
    • Guarantee a nurse (RN or LPN) is always on duty
    • Maintain staffing policies that are reviewed and updated regularly
    • Kaiser and other employers must document nurse executive qualifications and staffing plans to stay in compliance.

Safe Staffing = Safe Patients + Safe Nurses

  • Safe staffing isn’t just about workload — it’s about:
    • Preventing errors and harm
    • Improving patient outcomes
    • Reducing burnout and turnover
    • Ensuring equitable care across all departments, including clinical support services such as pharmacy, infection prevention, and dietetics
  • With staffing tied to accreditation, Kaiser and other hospital systems now have a powerful incentive to act.

UNAC/UHCP’s Call to Action

  • Demand transparency: Kaiser and other employers must share their staffing plans and compliance strategies with frontline nurses.
  • Hold leadership accountable: Accreditation — and patient safety — depend on meeting these new standards.
  • Push for enforceable staffing language in contracts: UNAC/UHCP will leverage NPG 12 to strengthen collective bargaining.
  • Center patient safety in advocacy: This is no longer just a workforce issue — it’s a national safety standard.
  • Organize for implementation: UNAC/UHCP nurses must have a seat at the table as Kaiser and other hospitals develop their staffing plans.

 

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