CNA Patient Ratios?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

What do you all think is an appropriate patient ratio per CNA?

The facility I work at right now has one LPN and three CNAs for our 30 patient Alzheimer unit. It is a 180 bed facility, and there are many days where one of us is floated to another dept, and then there are only 2 1/2 CNA's for the 30 residents. Is 10-12 dementia patients per CNA the *average*? I work the day shift, so we have two meals to get out everyday...I think that it's too hectic, and that we can't spend enough time giving care to EACH individual, but is this how all nursing homes are? I am new to the field and just wanted some input.

Thanks,

Stacy

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

The average that i've seen in LTC places are 7-8 pt. per CNA

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I worked in a nursing home about 7 years ago and they only had 2 aides for a 20 bed alzheimer unit. I wasn't a CNA, I worked in the kitchen, so I don't know how it was, but I know when we served meals over on that unit the place was a mess!

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Depends on the type of resident being cared for. Totally dependent with all ADL's will require more staffing, more independent less. Care levels and layout of a facility are big factors in ratios.

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In Oregon the ratio by rule is 10:1 on day shift, 15:1 on eves, and 25:1 on nocs no matter the resident - this is state standards for minimum staffing res to CNA. The company I work for chooses to have more CNAs on during the day and evening shift, including restorative aide on days.

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DOES ANYONE KNOW THE RATIO FOR NY STATE FOR LTC!!!!! THANKS!!! SOMEDAY WE HAVE 6 CNA'S FOR 40--- THEY HAVE TO ALSO DO OUT-TRIPS WITH THE RESIDENTS WITH APPOINTMENTS. LEAVING SOMETIMES ONLY 4 CNA'S ON A UNIT!!!! AND ON THE WEEKEND---------- ONLY 4 CNA'S ON A UNIT FOR 40 ON THE DAY SHIFT!!!!! IS THIS LEGAL -- SCAREY RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Staffing ratios in SC

1st shift 1 CNA to 9 residents

2nd shift 1 CNA to 13 residents

3rd shift 1 CNA to 22 residents

Nurses 1 - 44 residents

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I work LTC as RN. I have 80 residents I.am responsiable for. I have 2 RPNs and 8 HCAs. This for day shift with a heavy mix of residents. Several other floors have a different mix of staff but ideally its 1 RN with 2 RPNs and anywhere from 9 HCAs to 5 HCAs each floor. These floors are home to 80 residents per floor.

Evenings is different with 1 RN in facility. 2 RPNs per floor with 1 to 2 less HCAs per floor.

Nights 1 RN in facility, 1 RPN per floor , 2 HCAs per floor.

Of course this all changed with call-ins and floors work short, sometimes VERY SHORT. :roll

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Originally posted by ChainedChaosRN

Depends on the type of resident being cared for. Totally dependent with all ADL's will require more staffing, more independent less. Care levels and layout of a facility are big factors in ratios.

I agree..that's the way they SHOULD staff, based on acuity..sadly it's all about numbers and money though :/

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

My average for night shift me for every 30 pts. But this is ok in a hospital because most are self-sufficient, they just can't kick the IV pole to the bathroom and walk at the same time.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

When I worked in LTC, my floor had 39 patients and three aides on days and one on second and thirds. We were considered ICF but had a lot of total care patients.

The SNF floor had 50 patients, four or five aides on days and three on second and third.

These people who posted 7 or 8 patients each for LTC -- I am astounded, I have NEVER seen such low ratios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

There's a lot of places around here with bad ratios, but it's a matter of realizing you're only human, and not letting yourself get overextended when you can avoid it.

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