Governor: Nursing home staff levels too low
CHICAGO – Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed reforms that would raise minimum staffing levels at nursing homes, an idea that’s quietly being fought by the industry although there’s evidence more time spent on care by nurses and aides improves residents’ health.
Talks will resume today in Springfield as state officials, industry leaders and advocates for the elderly and mentally ill try to agree on proposed legislation. But gaining buy-in from nursing home owners on the staffing requirements seems increasingly remote, some participants told The Associated Press.
Numerous national studies have linked more nursing hours with improved care, as shown by fewer bed sores and less unexplained weight loss.
“One person cannot take care of 30 people and do the kind of job they’re expected to do,” said the Rev. Elaine Bellis, associate director for the Community Renewal Society’s Senior Action Network in Chicago. “That’s why there’s constant turnover and burnout. People can’t keep up with the demands of the job.”
Current Illinois rules require nursing homes to provide at least 2½ hours of nursing care per resident each day. That works out to about 31 certified nurse aides and licensed nurses per 100 residents. A nursing home with 100 residents, for instance, must provide at least 250 hours of nursing care each day.
Quinn wants to phase in more nursing care. By 2014, in the governor’s proposal, the minimum would be 4.1 hours per day for residents who need skilled care and 2.8 hours per day for residents needing intermediate care.
Many homes already meet those standards. But some do not, and industry leaders have said facilities that survive on Medicaid can’t afford to hire more people.
The governor would also raise fees and fines for nursing homes and toughen oversight. The proposals stem from news reports of assaults, rapes and murders in Illinois nursing homes and the work of a task force Quinn convened last year.
The task force heard public testimony about inadequate staffing, particularly at facilities serving mostly black residents.
“The fact that low staffing levels seem concentrated in nursing homes primarily serving African Americans was deeply disturbing to the task force, legislators and community members,” according to the task force’s final report.
The Health Care Council of Illinois, the state’s largest nursing home trade group, has opposed across-the-board increases in staffing requirements. But spokesman Kevin Kavanaugh declined to comment on its position because talks are still under way.
Task force chairman Michael Gelder, Quinn’s senior health policy adviser, said he’s optimistic a compromise with nursing homes can be reached, although the Health Care Council hasn’t yet offered any alternatives on staffing.
“They’ve indicated they oppose any unilateral increased standard for nurse staffing. We have not gotten into the specifics of that or heard from them what they would recommend,” he said.
Not surprisingly, union leaders support increased staffing, citing a 2001 federal study that found 4.1 hours of direct-care staff time per day improved quality.
“Uniform standards for safe staffing are essential to ensuring that nursing home residents get the care and attention they need and deserve,” SEIU Healthcare Illinois spokeswoman Brynn Seibert said.
An analysis of federal data from 15,212 nursing homes in 50 states by the Chicago Reporter found Illinois’ for-profit nursing homes had the lowest average staffing level compared to those in other states.
Illinois’ for-profit nursing homes averaged 3.19 hours of nursing care per resident daily, compared to the national average of 3.75 hours. Nearly all Chicago’s majority-black nursing homes are owned by for-profit companies.
In contrast, nonprofit nursing homes in Illinois averaged 4.45 hours per day, more than the national average for nonprofits, which was 4.34 hours.
“Illinois’ for-profit nursing homes are dead last in providing the staff needed to care for their residents regardless of their condition,” said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois Senior State President. “AARP members in all parts of the state will be watching their legislators to see if they will finally stand up to the industry, and pass legislation to ensure nursing home residents get the care they need.”
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The bill is HB6440.
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On the Net: www.ilga.gov
