Staffing Standards

The big news in the nursing home industry this month is the new staffing standards. The proposed rule consists of core staffing proposals:

1) a requirement to have an RN onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

2) minimum registered nurse staffing standards of 0.55 hours per resident day (HPRD) and 2.45 HPRD for Nurse Aides (NAs);

3) minimum certified nurse aide staffing standards of 2.45 HPRD; and

4) enhanced facility assessment requirements.

The proposed rule will be implemented over years and hardship exemptions will apply for select facilities.

No word of a minimum staffing standards for licensed practical nurses. Strange.