Results for: Nursing Home Staffing

The Biden administration has finalized new nursing home staffing rules that will require thousands of facilities to hire more nurses and aides. The rules aim to address staffing shortages that have been linked to poor care and high rates of preventable harm. However, some patient advocates say the rules do not go far enough to ensure high-quality care. The new rules will require most nursing homes to provide an average of at least 3.48 hours of daily care per resident, including at least 0.55 hours of RN care and 2.45 hours from aides. The rules also mandate that an RN must be on duty at all times in case of a patient crisis on weekends or overnight. Nursing homes in rural areas will have longer to comply with the new staffing requirements. The American Health Care Association, which represents the nursing home industry, has called the regulation “an unreasonable standard” that “creates an impossible task for providers” amid a persistent worker shortage. However, labor unions representing nurses have welcomed the rules, calling them a “long-overdue sea change.” Advocates for nursing home residents have been pressing for higher staffing standards for years, and some say the new rules do not go far enough. A CMS-commissioned study found that the quality of care improved with increases of staff up to a level of 4.1 hours per resident per day — nearly a fifth higher than what CMS will require.

New Jersey’s groundbreaking law mandating minimum staffing levels in nursing homes has been reinforced by the Biden Administration’s implementation of stricter requirements. This measure aims to enhance the quality of care and safeguard the well-being of elderly residents in nursing facilities.

To ensure the safety and well-being of nursing home residents, the Biden Administration has unveiled two new rules that will set minimum staffing levels and require increased transparency in how taxpayer funds are allocated. These regulations aim to improve the quality of care, enhance the dignity of residents, and recognize the invaluable contributions of care workers.

Beginning with minimum staffing requirements, the new rules will implement a minimum number of hours that staff members must spend with each resident. This is the first time the federal government has established such guidelines, aiming to address the grim realities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively, the second rule mandates that 80% of Medicaid funds received by home health care companies must be directed toward wages for care workers. This measure seeks to prevent administrative overheads from overshadowing the salaries of those providing essential services.

The new regulations have been met with mixed reactions. While welcomed by advocates for the elderly and disabled, the nursing home industry has expressed concerns over the added staffing costs and potential workforce shortages. However, the Biden Administration emphasizes that these rules are necessary to uphold quality standards and protect vulnerable residents.

The implementation of these rules marks a significant step towards ensuring dignity and equity in nursing home care, empowering care workers, and safeguarding the well-being of the nation’s elderly population.

The Biden administration has finalized a new rule mandating minimum staffing levels at nursing homes receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding. This controversial rule requires at least 3.48 hours of nursing care per resident per day, including registered nurses and nurse aides. The mandate aims to address chronic understaffing in nursing homes, which can lead to sub-standard care and safety concerns. However, industry representatives have raised concerns about the feasibility of meeting the requirements and the potential for closures. Additionally, some consumer advocates believe the staffing levels do not go far enough and advocate for higher standards.