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Changes in nursing home staffing levels, 1997 to 2007
Binyam K Seblega1, Ning Jackie Zhang, Lynn Y Unruh
1University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA. bseblega@mail.ucf.edu
Medical Care Research and Review : MCRR
|August 13, 2009
Summary
Nursing home staffing saw shifts between 1997 and 2007. While licensed practical nurse (LPN) and nursing assistant (NA) hours increased, registered nurse (RN) hours and skill mix declined.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Services Research
- Nursing
Background:
- Nursing staff quality is linked to nursing home care quality.
- Concerns exist regarding a decrease in registered nurse (RN) hours in nursing homes.
- Understanding staffing trends is crucial for quality of care assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in staffing levels for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and nursing assistants (NAs) in nursing homes from 1997 to 2007.
- To assess shifts in the nursing skill mix within nursing homes during the specified decade.
- To identify trends in nursing staff hours per resident day.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a descriptive research design.
- Analyzed data from the Online Survey Certification and Reporting System database.
- Controlled for facility size and ownership in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Between 1997 and 2007, more nursing homes increased LPN and NA hours per resident day.
- Conversely, more nursing homes decreased RN hours per resident day during the same period.
- A decline in the overall nursing skill mix was observed.
Conclusions:
- Nursing home staffing composition evolved between 1997 and 2007.
- The trend indicates a reduction in RN hours and skill mix, despite an increase in LPN and NA hours.
- These staffing changes may have implications for the quality of care in nursing homes.
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