New Nursing Home Rule Could Improve Lives of Many Fresh Edict for Old Folks' Homes Might Spruce Up Lives Plenty
Yet the Enforced Minimum Daily Care Hours May Overtax Nursing Homes Fresh Edict for Old Folks' Homes Might Spruce Up Lives Plenty
U.S. - July 20, 2024 (Updated July 20, 2024)A recently finalized federal regulation could potentially save nearly 13,000 lives annually, according to researchers, despite opposition from nursing home industry representatives who contend the new staffing requirements may lead to facility closures.
At the behest of Senator Elizabeth Warren, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania evaluated the potential life-saving impact of the Biden administration's newly established minimum staffing rule for nursing homes. Their analysis suggests that full implementation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' staffing regulation could prevent nearly 13,000 deaths yearly.
Senator Warren emphasized the significant life-saving potential of the new rule, expressing criticism towards the nursing home industry's resistance to implementing these standards.
However, nursing home industry groups argue that the federal staffing minimum would place excessive strain on facilities already grappling with staffing shortages. The researchers' estimates do not address the possibility of nursing home closures resulting from the new regulation, which could disrupt resident care.
In April, the Biden administration unveiled a rule mandating federally-funded nursing homes to meet specific staffing ratios for registered nurses and nurse aides. The regulation stipulates minimum daily care hours per resident and requires round-the-clock registered nurse presence. Implementation will be phased in, with full compliance expected by May 2026.
Nursing home associations have initiated legal action against federal health agencies to block the rule, claiming it could force facility closures or downsizing, potentially displacing residents.
Industry estimates suggest nursing homes would need to hire over 100,000 additional staff at a substantial annual cost to comply with the new requirements. The University of Pennsylvania researchers noted that a majority of U.S. nursing homes currently fall short of the new staffing standards.
Medical professionals involved in the analysis have explained that the life-saving estimate was based on previous research linking staffing levels to mortality rates. They have highlighted various safety risks associated with understaffed facilities, including medication errors and inadequate patient care.
The researchers noted that exemptions from the staffing rule are available for homes in designated workforce shortage areas.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in numerous nursing home deaths, brought increased scrutiny to facility safety standards. In response to industry protests against the staffing rule, several lawmakers have questioned large nursing home chains about their financial practices, including executive compensation and stock buybacks.
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