What are the staffing requirements for nursing homes?

A:

It is hard to believe but neither federal nor Virginia law sets forth minimal staffing ratios.  Advocates for nursing home reform have been lobbying for years for reasonable staffing requirements so nurses and nurses aides (CNA) have sufficient time to feed, turn, bathe, and care for nursing home patients.  In some nursing homes CNAs are required to care for as many as 30 residents during a day shift.  It is not surprising that their patients develop pressure sores, malnutrition, are left in soiled clothes, and are otherwise neglected. 

Nursing homes fail to provide sufficient staff for the simple reason that it reduces their profits.  As part of our investigation into nursing home injuries we assess whether the nursing home provided sufficient nurses and CNAs to care for the patient.  In some cases failing to provide sufficient staff supports a punitive damage claim in addition to compensatory damages.  It is our belief that by holding nursing homes accountable for injuring and neglecting their patients they will improve the quality care provided in their nursing homes.