With the spotlight on the quality of care in nursing homes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has unveiled guidelines intended to bolster staffing.
Yet, a revealing estimate from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) shows that a significant 81% of nursing home facilities across the country, and a whopping 90% of for-profit institutions, would need to onboard more registered nurses (RNs) or nurse aides to align with these recommendations.
The prospective regulation mandates nursing homes to ensure at least 0.55 RN and 2.45 nurse aide hours for every resident per day. Moreover, they must have an RN present round-the-clock. This measure stems from persistent concerns over insufficient staffing adversely impacting the care quality for residents.
Industry stalwarts have unsurprisingly shared their apprehensions about this initiative. They highlight the national nursing shortage, emphasizing the challenge it presents in achieving these staffing benchmarks.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only added fuel to this fire, with numerous healthcare workers stepping down due to burnout, modest compensation, and the heightened stress from attending to susceptible groups amidst a health emergency.
The statistics bear testament to this staffing conundrum. Employment figures for long-term care facilities are still 11% less than before the pandemic for the overall industry and 3% less for elder care institutions, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Adding to the conversation, Mark Parkinson, the head of the American Health Care Association, which stands for a vast number of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, voiced his concerns.
He cautioned about the prospective policy pushing for the hiring of a considerable number of nurses that are simply not in the market, which might result in the upheaval for a large number of residents.
However, some industry experts feel that the proposed staffing metrics might be inadequate. They had anticipated the CMS to advocate for 4.1 hours of nursing care every day for each resident, backed by studies showcasing its favorable effect on patient health.
Addressing the current staffing challenge is paramount, not just for the nursing home residents’ welfare but also for the sector’s enduring viability.
A potential solution will demand not only monetary commitments but also advancements in training, remuneration, and work environment for the healthcare workforce in this crucial field.
As we grapple with these concerns, the fate of our senior family members in nursing homes underscores the pressing need to tackle the problem both holistically and swiftly.
