New data resource reveals highly variable staffing at nursing homes

Researchers who analyzed payroll-based staffing data for U.S. nursing homes discovered large daily staffing fluctuations, low weekend staffing and daily staffing levels that often fall well below the expectations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, all of which can increase the risk of adverse events for residents.

A study published in the July issue of Health Affairs paints a picture of the staffing levels of nurses and direct care staff at nursing homes based on a new CMS data resource, the Payroll-Based Journal, or PBJ. CMS has been collecting data from nursing homes since 2016 to meet a requirement of the Affordable Care Act, and PBJ data has been used in the federal Five-Star Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes since April 2018.