Staffing Shortages, Staffing Hours, and Resident Deaths in US Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Our results showed that self-reported staffing shortages were associated with a statistically significant decrease in staffing hours and with a statistically significant increase in resident deaths. These results suggest that addressing staffing shortages in nursing homes can save lives.

Joshi, Sushant. “Staffing Shortages, Staffing Hours, and Resident Deaths in US Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, vol. 24, no. 8, Aug. 2023, pp. 1114–1119, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2023.04.020.

Study: Fewer Nurses in Nursing Homes Associated with More Resident Deaths

nursing facilities that self-reported nurse staffing shortages in fact had fewer registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants providing care to residents and the result of these nursing shortages was a 10.5% increase in resident deaths, from both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 causes, during the coronavirus pandemic.

— Center for Medicare Advocacy, May 11, 2023

Nurse staffing shortages linked to 10 percent jump in resident deaths

Self-reported nurse staffing shortages in United States nursing homes during the height of the pandemic were linked to less care per resident and a 10.5% increase in resident deaths, a new study has found.

— McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, May 9, 2023