A new study shows that three-quarters of nursing homes never meet federal staffing expectations for RNs, with these staff members most often missing on the weekends. According to data, 96% of nursing homes had an RN onsite for at least eight hours daily for 80% of the year; while on the weekends, 91% of facilities met expected RN staffing levels less than 60% of the time. Researchers also found that 70% of nursing homes self-reported higher total direct staffing under the CASPER system than the Payroll-Based Journal that is now industry standard. The study authors suggested that adverse events (such as falls or medication errors) may be more likely during understaffed days and times. Read the full article.
