Staffing Shortages on Weekends
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure sufficient nursing staff were available to meet the needs of residents, particularly on weekends. The facility's policy on staffing guidelines, which was reviewed in September 2024, emphasized the importance of adequate and competent staffing levels based on the Facility Assessment. However, the Payroll Based Journal Staffing Data Report for the third quarter of 2024 indicated excessively low staffing levels on weekends, which was confirmed by a review of the actual weekend staffing schedules from April to June 2024. The facility's staffing plan outlined specific numbers of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) required for each shift, but these numbers were not met, leading to significant staff shortages. Interviews with staff members, including CNAs and LPNs, revealed that the facility frequently operated with insufficient staff, resulting in increased workloads and stress for the remaining staff. CNAs reported having to prioritize essential tasks such as personal care and feeding residents, often having to rush to complete their duties. LPNs expressed feeling overwhelmed due to the responsibility of administering medications to all residents on their units, despite having another nurse present. The staff shortages were attributed to frequent call-outs and the difficulty in finding replacements, particularly on weekends. The facility's administration, including the Human Resources Director and the Director of Nursing, acknowledged the staffing challenges but believed that the current staffing levels were adequate based on the facility's acuity. However, the facility was flagged for not meeting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandate of 3.5 hours of care per patient per day. Despite efforts to hire more staff, the facility struggled to retain them, and the staffing levels listed in the Facility Assessment did not reflect the actual staffing on the units. The ongoing staffing issues raised concerns about the facility's ability to provide safe and adequate care to its residents.
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved January 3, 2025 Immediate Correction 1) On 12/30/24, The Administrator, DON and HR Director furthered Facility recruitment efforts including: 2) On 12/30/24 contacted CNA School Training program 3) On 12/30/24 contacted 1199 SEIU Hiring division 4) On 12/30/24 contacted additional Staffing agencies like Meridian and Towne. 5) Reviewed the potential to add/hire HHA Hall Monitors to assist in responding to call bells and non-clinical needs informing Charge Nurse of resident needs as indicated. 6) The facility continues to post and promote ads for recruitment for all open positions in the facility with the Apploi platform on job sites like Indeed and Zip Recruiter. 7) On 12/31/24 The Administrator, DON and Staffing Coordinator met with the Resident Council to discuss Facility plan for improving staffing numbers and ensuring care needs are met. Residents expressed satisfaction. 8) Incentives to recruit staff, including the use of sign-on bonuses, job fairs, tuition coverage, shift pickup bonuses and staffing agencies, will continuously be used to increase the facility’s staffing levels. Identification of Others 1) Resident Safety Assessment: The Administrator will conduct a comprehensive review of all residents by 12/31/2024 to identify any who may have been negatively impacted by staffing shortages. This will include checking for delays in care, unmet needs, or changes in physical, mental, or psychosocial well-being. Any identified issues will be addressed by the interdisciplinary team. Systemic Changes 1) The interdisciplinary team revised the staffing policy and Facility Assessment to accurately reflect current staffing needs based on resident acuity, census, and care plans. 2) The DNS and Administrator will review and revise the Facility Assessment to document sufficient staffing needs for each unit based on: - Acuity level and Census including special care needs of residents on individual units, and any other pertinent information about the resident needs. - An evaluation of diseases, conditions, physical, functional, or cognitive limitations of the resident population - Specific skills and competencies staff must possess in order to deliver the necessary care required by the residents being served. - The number of Nursing staff to provide services to residents and assist and monitor aides. 3) Implementing a weekend staffing strategy that includes a dedicated pool of on-call staff, incentives for weekend shifts, and pre-scheduled backup coverage. 4) Reviewing and revising licensed nurses and CNA Assignments for each Unit to ensure any staffing adjustments needed based on resident needs and acuity. 5) Developing an audit tool to identify the number of open positions based on par levels to ensure that safe sufficient staffing would be maintained. 6) The DNS will provide RN's, LPN's and CNA's with education on measures to be taken when staffing is below par levels. Highlights of the Inservice include: - The responsibility of the RNS to check staff at the beginning of each shift. - The need to have a contact list of available staff and agencies to be called in as needed. - The responsibility of the Charge Nurse on each unit to complete an assignment sheet and update as needed for any staffing changes. - The responsibility of all Nursing Staff to report to Charge Nurse/RNS when any care or services cannot be provided to residents during the shift. - The responsibility of the RNS is to ensure resident medications, treatments and care are provided in accordance with resident plan of care. - The need for ancillary staff to assist with responding to call bells and informing direct caregivers of resident needs/requests. - The responsibility of the DON/Designee to contact the NYSDOH Surge and Flex if the facility implements crisis staffing plan. Quality Assurance 1) The QAPI committee will conduct weekly audits of staffing patterns and compliance with the updated Facility Assessment. 2) Initiate resident and family satisfaction survey audit tools to identify concerns related to staffing or care delivery. 3) Review all incidents and complaints quarterly to identify any trends or correlations with staffing levels. 4) Include staffing as a standing agenda item during quarterly QAPI meetings to ensure continuous monitoring and improvement. 5) Audits will be completed by the Director of Human Resources weekly x 4 weeks; monthly x 3 months; and quarterly for x 1 year. Any negative findings will be addressed immediately. 6) Findings will be brought to the QAPI quarterly meeting for tracking of facility compliance. Person Responsible for this Ftag: 1) The Administrator.