For decades, academic research has shown that staffing levels reliably predict the quality of care in nursing homes and that shortages increase the risk of delayed response to daily needs, like toileting and eating, as well as medical emergencies, such as falls and strokes. A pivotal federal study from 20 years ago, when most nursing home residents were younger and healthier than today, suggested a minimum of 4.1 hours per resident daily – more than the new rule.
On April 22, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final rule on Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. The regulation establishes the first-ever federal minimum staffing levels for nursing homes (NHs) and introduces requirements to enhance facility assessments and state reporting on the percentage of Medicaid payments spent on direct care in institutional settings.
Regulations have long required – and still do – that skilled nursing facilities have enough nurses and aides with the correct training to meet the needs of every resident’s care plan. Some people require more care from a registered nurse for complex medical conditions. Others need assistance from an aide with daily tasks like getting out of bed or eating.
Nursing homes must publicly post information on their premises that details their direct resident care staffing levels. Nursing homes must also report daily staffing levels to the Department of Health. The Department of Health makes this information available to the public quarterly.
How do you find current staffing information if you are exploring options for nursing home care for a loved one or want to know staffing levels at your loved one’s nursing home?
Follow these steps to find nursing home staffing levels:
1. Go to medicare.gov/care-compare
2. On the sidebar, click “Nursing Homes Including Rehab Services.”
3. Enter your state and the name of your facility in the search boxes and click “Search.”
4. Below the overall rating, you’ll see 3 categories: Health Inspections, Staffing, and Quality Measures. Click “View Staffing Information.”
5. Scroll down to see the nursing hours per resident per day.
Please note staffing levels are one quality measure of a nursing home. It is also important to visit any potential nursing home for your loved one and speak with residents and resident’s families about their experience. Please visit our website, www.rothkofflaw.com, for more resources on choosing a quality long-term care community for your loved one.
