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HHS Issues New Nursing Home Staffing Regulations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published (February 27, 2004) a proposed rule that would establish a new data collection and recordkeeping requirement for skilled nursing facilities and other nursing homes. The regulation would require the daily posting — for each shift — of the number of registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses and certified nursing assistants pro- viding direct care to residents.The posting must be made in a visible place on a form developed by HHS.

AFSCME has a long history of advocating for public disclosure of staffing levels in nursing homes. In its comments to HHS, AFSCME expressed general support for the regulation, while offering suggestions to make the rule more useful for residents and family members. For example, the regulation would require nursing homes to post staffing levels after each shift has ended.AFSCME proposes that the information be available no later than one hour after a shift begins.

AFSCME's comments are posted on the UNA section of the AFSCME web page.

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