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What’s happening: CHA commented on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed staffing requirements for long-term care facilities.
What else to know: CHA supports the establishment of standards, but specific thresholds don’t allow flexibility for facilities to establish a staffing mix best suited for their patients.
CHA has issued draft comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed staffing requirements for long-term care facilities.
In the letter, CHA supports the establishment of a minimum standard for nurse staffing, including the proposed requirement for 3.48 hours per resident day, as well as the requirement for a registered nurse (RN) to be on-site 24 hours per day and available for patient care as needed. However, CHA is concerned that CMS’ proposal to establish specific thresholds for RN and nurse aide staffing does not provide sufficient flexibility for facilities to establish a staffing skill mix to best meet resident needs.
