Washington governor lauds nurse-hospital pact

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has hailed a new agreement between nurses and hospitals to provide better nurse staffing. The hospitals have agreed to post the number of budgeted staff throughout the hospital each day--and the number who are actually on the floor each shift. The actual staffing numbers, including any lagging behind the budgeted figure, would be sent to the state. Gregoire said the greater attention to nurse staffing will lead to better patient safety and lower overall medical costs.