Facility Fails to Meet Nurse Aide Staffing Ratios
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to meet the required nurse aide (NA) staffing ratios as mandated by the regulation effective July 1, 2024. Specifically, the facility did not maintain the minimum NA ratios on several occasions across different shifts. On the day shift of December 7, 2024, the facility had a census of 134 residents but only 13.27 NAs worked when 13.40 were required. On the evening shift of December 6, 2024, with a census of 136 residents, 11.97 NAs worked instead of the required 12.36. The overnight shift experienced the most significant shortages, with five days between December 2 and December 14, 2024, not meeting the required ratios. For instance, on December 2, 2024, with a census of 135 residents, only 6.70 NAs worked when 9.00 were required. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed during an interview on January 3, 2025, that the facility did not meet the minimum NA ratios for the specified days and shifts. This acknowledgment indicates a systemic issue in maintaining adequate staffing levels to meet regulatory requirements. The report does not provide details on any specific residents affected or the direct impact on resident care, focusing instead on the staffing discrepancies and the facility's acknowledgment of these deficiencies.
Plan Of Correction
The facility was unable to make corrective action for the (nurse aide ratio) for identified days that have already passed. All residents received care in accordance with their care plans and physician orders. Director of nursing or designee will re-educate the labor manager and the Registered nurse supervisors on the 7/1/2024 requirements for Nurse aide ratios. Facility continues to offer incentives, competitive wages, and several other benefits in an effort to hire for all open positions. Nursing home administrator, Director of Nursing, and Labor manager will conduct daily staffing meetings Monday - Friday to review (nurse aide ratios) throughout the day, the following day, and the weekend. In the event of vacancies, the Labor Manager or designee will follow staffing policies including offering open shifts to internal staff, contracted agency staff, and offering current staff to stay extra or start earlier. Nursing Home Administrator or designee will audit daily staffing ratios and along with all steps taken to fill vacancies 5 days a week and ongoing. Results of the audits will be reviewed and recorded in the monthly Quality Assurance Performance Improvement meeting.