Nursing Home Administrators

nursing homes are required to employ sufficient nursing staff to provide a minimum daily average of 3.2. nursing hours per patient day. Nursing hours means the actual number of hours of work performed per patient day by registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, aides, nursing assistants, or orderlies. These hours do not include directors of nurses in facilities with a 60 or larger capacity.

 

By August 1, 2003, California’s Department of Health Services is required to develop regulations that establish staff-to-patient ratios for direct caregivers working in skilled nursing facilities. “Direct caregivers” include registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, psychiatric technicians and certified nurse assistants. Once the staff-to-patient ratios are established, it will be much easier for consumers to understand the exact level of staffing at a particular facility.

Personnel employed to provide services such as food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, or maintenance services are not permitted to provide nursing care to residents, and are not counted in the minimum standards. Although social services and activities staff are not included in direct care either, these are important services for residents, and the number of hours provided per patient day in these categories should be reviewed and compared to the statewide averages.

Whether the facility meets the minimum staffing standards is an important criteria in evaluating a facility. Low staff and low wages can contribute to a higher staff turnover rate, which can impact the overall level of care in a facility.

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