Nursing home providers are in a worrisome state regarding the adequate level of staff members according to the federal staffing minimum. The state of Pennsylvania is said to have 681 nursing homes and it may cost an additional $360 million to provide a sufficient level of staffing. The minimum requirement is based on a 4.1 hour per patient day staffing rule adopted back in 2012 by Washington DC. These additional costs are due to the increased need to hire and pay certified nursing aides.
This surge in hiring and labor costs is mostly unable to be met without aid from government resources. Pennsylvania just earned an increase in Medicaid; with this aid, providers will now need to provide 2.87 hours per patient day with expectations to increase to 3.2 hours in 2024. This anticipated increase in staffing hours pushes residential nursing homes to utilize agencies to hire staff quickly. This may ultimately lead to a decrease in quality care, as stated by health researchers. These nursing aides hired by agencies may not be as qualified as other aides and may lead to lower quality overall within the nursing home.
With this push to reach adequate staffing levels, there may be a surge in abuse and neglect rates due to unqualified workers. If you or a loved one are residents in a nursing home, you are looking to receive quality care. With this rush to achieve these federal staffing minimums, there should be a greater lookout for signs of abuse or neglect. If you feel that you or a loved one are receiving inadequate care or are being abused, reach out to DLP. Our main goal is to fight for the justice of those looking to receive quality care and unfortunately becoming victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Remember… Injury? Call DLP! (570) C-A-L-L-D-L-P.
