New Requirements Improve Quality of Care at Oregon Nursing Homes
Governor's Nursing Facilities Staffing Commission recommendations mean 500 to 700 additional nursing assistants to be hired
Salem – Calling it a “Major step forward in improving the standard of care for one of Oregon’s most vulnerable populations,” Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Bruce Goldberg, M.D. announced new staffing standards today for state nursing facilities.
The new rules that went into effect Saturday, March 1, 2008, mean that Oregon’s nursing homes will employ more nursing assistants and that those residents will receive more help with daily activities. The new standards require day shift assistants to have two fewer people under their care, allowing them to spend more time with each resident. The new rules also mean that Oregon will need approximately 500 to 700 additional nursing assistants by 2010.
“Everyone in an Oregon nursing home deserves to be safe and treated with dignity and respect,” said Governor Kulongoski. “The new staffing rules will mean increased care, increased quality of life for residents, and increased peace of mind for their families.”
The greater staffing-to-resident ratios will be phased in over three years to allow facilities time to train and hire Certified Nursing Assistants. There are 142 licensed facilities in Oregon, caring for 8,000 residents.
The staff-to-resident ratio will increase again on April 1, 2009. The third phase will require approval from the 2009 legislature. For a full description of the staffing ratios, go to: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/index.shtml.
Nursing assistants aid in the daily, basic care of residents, providing everything from assistance in eating and dressing to helping move from one part of the facility to another. Oregon’s minimum staffing requirements for assistants has not been increased since 1993, which led to concerns that basic care in nursing facilities was suffering. In 2006 Governor Kulongoski convened a commission to review the issue and make recommendations on how best to proceed to increase staffing levels at state facilities.
The Nursing Facility Staffing Commission reviewed available research on recommended staffing levels and heard testimony from stakeholders, including working nursing assistants. Based on their work, the Commission recommended increasing staffing levels and a system of accountability to ensure that facilities are meeting the new rules.
Nursing assistants who testified before the commission emphasized the importance of maintaining dignity and respect for nursing home residents. As one reminded the commissioners, residents could be “your mother, your grandmother.”
New standards for transparency and accountability have also been established to ensure that nursing facilities are meeting the new staffing requirements. Facilities must post their daily staffing ratios in public view and facilities must report the staffing ratios to the Department of Human Services every quarter.
In addition, an 800 number gives family, friends and stakeholders another tool to use to protect Oregon’s most frail residents. Reports of low staffing levels or other questions or concerns about the new rules should be directed to the Department of Human Services Client Care Monitoring Unit at 1-877-280-4555.
“Anyone concerned that a facility is understaffed should call us right away,” said Dr. Goldberg, M.D. “We need the public’s help to ensure the greatest possible care for the residents of Oregon’s nursing facilities.”
The Nursing Facility Staffing Commission convened by Governor Kulongoski included Sen. Richard Devlin, Rep. Bruce Hanna, Rick Bennett, AARP, Carlotta Davison, a Certified Nursing Assistant, Rick Dillon, Avamere HealthServices, Leslie Frane, SEIU Local 503, Kathy LeVee, Marquis Companies, John Helm, Governor's Commission on Senior Services, and Erinn Kelly-Siel, Governor’s Health and Human Services Policy Advisor.
Contact:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-5040
Patty Wentz, 503-378-6160
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Cary Greenwood, DHS, 503-945-6069
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