Consumers Are Getting New Information About Nursing Home Staffing But Need More

With nursing homes and other long-term care facilities desperately short of nurses and aides, it is more important than ever for consumers to know about staffing levels, quality, and turnover. But it has been difficult to get some key information. Now, the government has taken a modest step to help.

In January, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began posting new information about weekend nursing home staffing of Registered Nurses (RNs) as well as a total staffing including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs), and nurse aides in training. CMS also has begun reporting data on turnover rates of nurses and administrators.

This information is valuable for consumers, but it is not enough.