Nursing Home Staffing Linked to COVID-19 Rates

High turnover among staffs likely contributed to number of deaths during pandemic

By By Dan Hounsell


Basic tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus — social distancing, handwashing and mask wearing — are well known by now. Since March 2020, managers have emphasized these measures to anyone and everyone who works in or visits hospitals, senior care centers and other healthcare facilities. Now research suggests that one challenge closer to home for managers — staffing — plays a central role in the health of staff and patients.

Extraordinarily high turnover among staffs at nursing homes likely contributed to the shocking number of deaths at the facilities during the pandemic, the authors of a new study suggested.

The study represents a comprehensive look at the turnover rates in 15,645 nursing homes across the country, accounting for nearly all of the facilities certified by the federal government, according to The New York Times. The researchers found the average annual rate was 128 percent, with some facilities experiencing turnover that exceeded 300 percent.

Inadequate staffing and low pay have long plagued nursing homes and quality of care for the more than 1 million residents who live in these facilities. But the pandemic has exposed these issues even more sharply, with investigations underway into some states’ oversight of the facilities as COVID-19 cases spiraled unchecked and deaths skyrocketed.

Click here to read the article.



March 4, 2021


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

EVS Leadership Culture Critical in Preventing Hospital-Acquired Sepsis

Cleaning is an essential yet complex component for the prevention of HAI-induced sepsis.


Man Dies by Suicide in Emergency Department Waiting Room at Kansas Hospital

No staff or patients were harmed, and the man was alone in the waiting area when he shot himself.


McCarthy Completes North Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla

The new $664 million, eight-floor acute care tower expands access to advanced medical services for the Southern California region.


Wesley Rehabilitation Center Specializes in Patients from Design to Care

Barge Design Solutions knew that patients were at the core of the design process.


Casa Colina Center for Disorders of Consciousness Officially Opens

New program addresses critical need for patients with severe brain injuries.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.