Staffing Ratios: A Solution Whose Time Has Come
In 1990, Congress told the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the appropriateness of establishing “minimum caregiver to resident ratios.”
The second and final phase of the study was delivered to Congress March 19, 2002. NCCNHR believes the research provides compelling evidence that our nation’s nursing homes are dangerously understaffed and that Congress, HHS, and state legislatures must all take immediate steps to establish mandatory nurse staffing levels based on the findings.
Staffing Study on CMS Website.
Petitions Delivered to Congress, May 9, 2002.
NCCNHR Press Release: "Consumer Group Criticizes Thompson Letter Dismissing Report on Dangerous Staffing Levels in Nursing Homes" (March 22)
NCCNHR Press Release: “Government Study Provides ‘Compelling Evidence’ for Nurse Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes” (February 2002)
Appropriateness of Minimum Nurse Staffing Ratios in Nursing Homes: Overview of the Phase II Report (December 24, 2001)(17 pages in pdf). CMS will mail a copy of the report upon request.
NCCNHR Staffing Standards (November 1998)
