Policy action can stabilize staffing levels

Jul 25, 2022 | Nursing Turnover & Hours, Research & Studies of PBJ Data

Provider, policy action can stabilize staffing levels during infectious disease outbreaks, researchers write

Provider and policy action is needed to counter the effects of staff absences and departures, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, that may put nursing home residents at risk, according to the authors of a study published Friday in the journal JAMA Health Forum.

“Considerable staffing challenges suggest a potential need for policy action to ensure adequate staffing levels during nursing home outbreaks to protect resident health,” wrote authors Karen Shen, PhD; Brian E. McGarry, PT, PhD; David C. Grabowski, PhD; et al.

The researchers studied 2,967 nursing homes in 2020 and found that statistically significant declines in staffing levels occurred during severe COVID-19 outbreaks that didn’t resolve, on average, for 16 weeks after an outbreak’s start.

FROM

McKnights

PUBLISHED

July 25, 2022

SOURCE

Gaivin, Kathleen Steele. “Provider, Policy Action Can Stabilize Staffing Levels during Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Researchers Write.” McKnight’s Senior Living, 25 July 2022, www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/news/business-daily-news/provider-policy-action-can-stabilize-staffing-levels-during-infectious-disease-outbreaks-researchers-write.