New research has confirmed that nursing home facilities across the nation are understaffed. Until recently, Medicare used unverified data provided by the nursing home facilities to determine their staffing levels. The nursing homes often provided false information to make it look like they had more staff than they really did. Now, the daily payroll records of more than 14,000 nursing home facilities, which have recently been gathered and published under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, have revealed the discrepancy. The federal government has discovered that the staffing numbers previously reported by the nursing home facilities were overstated.
The Reality of Understaffed Nursing Homes
The new data shows that there is a significant fluctuation in staffing levels, particularly on nights and weekends. In some facilities, the on-duty personnel take care of twice as many patients during weekends as they do when the staff roster is at its fullest. At Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing, the data shows that there is only 1 aide for every 18 residents on certain days.
Medicare has required a registered nurse to be present at the facility for at least 8 hours each day. A licensed nurse must also be present at all times. The new staffing reports showed that about 25% of nursing home facilities did not have a registered nurse present at least once during the last 3 months of 2017.
The Response to the New Data
In light of the new data, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it would lower the ratings for nursing home facilities that have gone for 7 days or longer without a registered nurse. Some families of nursing home residents have even taken it upon themselves to form councils and fight for better care of their loved ones. Nursing homes are responsible to listen to the grievances and suggestions of such councils.
What the Data Means for Nursing Home Residents
Nursing homes have a responsibility to provide adequate care and treatment to patients at all times. The needs of nursing home residents do not change on weekends. Without enough staff, patients may not get adequate care. Neglect, abuse from unsupervised staff, and improper medical treatment may occur, putting patients at risk for serious injuries or death.
To learn more about this issue, click here to read the NY Times article.
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