Nurses at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh are advocating for the adoption of evidence-based nurse-to-patient ratios. They plan to meet with leaders from UPMC, the hospital’s parent organization, to present their case on Tuesday. The nurses argue that improved staffing standards are essential for providing quality patient care, particularly in high-stakes environments such as labor and delivery.
Mariah Park, a registered nurse in the labor and delivery department at Magee, has been with the hospital for nearly four years. She emphasized the need for nurses to dedicate more time to their patients during critical moments. “In Labor and Delivery, we’re helping patients through one of the most monumental moments they ever experience, bringing new life into the world,” Park stated in a news release. She highlighted that even uncomplicated births can be daunting for mothers, who seek personal attention to feel seen, heard, and informed.
Currently, Park noted that Magee does not adhere to the national staffing standards recommended by professional organizations like the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. With UPMC reporting profits of $643 million in 2025, Park called on the $30 billion health care system to implement staffing ratios that align with these national benchmarks. The nurses aim to extend these proposals beyond labor and delivery to the hospital’s emergency department, adult intensive care unit, medical-surgical unit, oncology unit, lactation consultants, and outpatient clinics.
Park referenced Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital, where nurse contracts include similar staffing standards. In contrast, UPMC has expressed reservations about adopting fixed staffing ratios, arguing that clinical circumstances vary significantly. Paul Wood, UPMC’s vice president and chief communications officer, stated, “Research shows staffing is complex, and fixed ratios don’t address the underlying nursing shortage or the real drivers of workload, such as patient acuity, team structure, and real-time conditions.”
Negotiations regarding staffing standards follow the nurses’ decision to unionize with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania in August 2023, reflecting a broader trend among health care professionals advocating for improved working conditions and greater involvement in patient care decisions. The nurses have been negotiating their first contract for several months, aiming to establish a framework that enhances care quality at Magee.
“If we can elevate staffing standards, it’s only going to help to continue to elevate the care that Magee already provides,” Park remarked. She emphasized the commitment of the nurses not only to their own welfare but also to the community they serve, aiming for an environment that prioritizes both patient care and staff well-being.
