Safe Staffing is Good Business

McKnights published a great guest article on how safe staffing is good for business. The rule for the federal minimum staffing standard proposed by CMS was criticized by the industry as “bad for business”.  However, the hardships of the pandemic showed us the need for competent and compassionate staff. One key solution is safe staffing that brings more caregivers into the industry.

 Those who oppose this rule claim that the mandatory ratios will force facilities in rural and underserved communities to close. They also state that there will not be enough attraction for workers to staff the required shifts to meet these standards. However, when owners are held to strict guidelines and rules are enforced, change is possible, and staffing standards will promote change. 

Lori Irvin worked as a CNA in Altoona, Pa., for around 40 years. In June 2023, when Pennsylvania implemented improved staffing standards, Lori saw changes she had not seen before. Not only did the quality of life for residents and workers improve, management courses were corrected, wages increased with a new union contract, and management went on a hiring spree to meet these requirements. The facility welcomed dozens of new workers, as many were interested specifically in the newly instated competitive wages, benefits, and incentives. For example, Lori used to care for over 50 residents in her unit with just one other nurse aide, but with the new rule, her facility schedules three aides every night. Lori has seen many former colleagues return to work after over 400,000 nursing home workers left the industry during the pandemic. 

The idea that “one size does not fit all” applies to nursing home staffing as well. Although CMS proposes standard and strict guidelines, CMS will assess staffing needs, understanding that if residents of an individual facility have higher acuity needs, then higher staffing levels would be required. 

Taxpayers deserve transparency regarding where their tax dollars are going. There is much speculation about whether or not these tax dollars are going to patient care or corporate profits. Although poor staffing is one of the main factors affecting the quality of care, this crisis also results from the low accountability of party transactions. To be successful under the new federal staffing standards, nursing homes must reevaluate how the money is allocated.

Companies should dedicate time to invest in their workers to create strong nursing home and union jobs. This means raising wages, expanding benefits, and creating a safe, consistent, skilled and individualized environment for residents. A federal minimum staffing standard is the first step in order to improve conditions within nursing homes.