A December 2015 Health Affairs study of freestanding Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) from 2001 thru 2011 found that registered nurses (RNs) were less likely to work at nursing homes with high concentrations of racial and ethnic minorities.[1] This … [Read more...] about RNs and CNAs Work Fewer Hours in Nursing Facilities that Serve Predominately Ethnic and Racial Minority Residents
SNF Staffing
The Public Cost of Low-Wage Nursing Home Jobs: Pennsylvania Proposals to Stop Hidden Public Subsidies to Nursing Home Industry
Medicare and Medicaid payments to nursing facilities, amounting to more than $80 billion in calendar year 2013,[1] are the most visible way that government financially compensates the nursing home industry. In addition, but generally … [Read more...] about The Public Cost of Low-Wage Nursing Home Jobs: Pennsylvania Proposals to Stop Hidden Public Subsidies to Nursing Home Industry
CMS Reopens Public Comment Period for Proposed Revisions to the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation
On July 16, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published proposed rules to revise the nursing home Requirements of Participation (RoPs) – the federal rules that govern the standards of care that facilities must meet in … [Read more...] about CMS Reopens Public Comment Period for Proposed Revisions to the Nursing Home Requirements of Participation
Arkansas Supreme Court Affirms Class Certification in Case Challenging Chronic Understaffing in 12 Golden Living Nursing Facilities in Arkansas
Former residents at 12 nursing facilities owned by Golden Living in Arkansas (or their special administrators, guardians, or attorneys-in-fact) filed a lawsuit challenging the facilities’ chronic understaffing between December 2006 and July 1, … [Read more...] about Arkansas Supreme Court Affirms Class Certification in Case Challenging Chronic Understaffing in 12 Golden Living Nursing Facilities in Arkansas
Is the Movement for a Higher Minimum Wage Coming to Health Care?
Fast-food workers have been demonstrating for a higher minimum wage and recently, various corporations have increased the wages of their lowest-paid workers. Has the movement come to the health care industry? On May 22, 2015, the … [Read more...] about Is the Movement for a Higher Minimum Wage Coming to Health Care?
Changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Quality Rating System
Two-Thirds of Nursing Facilities Nationwide Will See Decline In their Quality Measures; One-Third of Facilities Will See Decline in Their Overall Score As promised in October 2014,[1] the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has … [Read more...] about Changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Quality Rating System
Insufficient Staffing – Litigation
Although inadequate staffing is a claim in many negligence and wrongful death lawsuits against nursing facilities, some litigation addresses insufficient staffing directly as the sole issue. Two cases are discussed here: the New Mexico Attorney … [Read more...] about Insufficient Staffing – Litigation
Twelfth Largest U.S. Nursing Home Company Sued for Inadequate Staffing
Inadequate nurse staffing is the most significant predictor of poor care in nursing facilities. Despite the fact that understaffing is a pervasive and nationwide problem,[1] understaffing is rarely cited by state survey agencies.[2] One … [Read more...] about Twelfth Largest U.S. Nursing Home Company Sued for Inadequate Staffing
Nursing Facilities Owned by Private Equity Firms: Fewer Nurses, More Deficiencies
A recent study in the Journal of Health Care Finance finds that Florida nursing facilities owned by private equity firms have fewer registered nurses and more deficiencies than chain-owned for-profit facilities and that the longer the facilities are … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities Owned by Private Equity Firms: Fewer Nurses, More Deficiencies
Nurse Staffing: Requirements of Federal Law
Federal law sets out few specific requirements for nurse staffing. These requirements have not been revised since they were established by the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law[1] and became effective on October 1, 1990. Nursing Home Reform … [Read more...] about Nurse Staffing: Requirements of Federal Law