CNA to patient ratio

Specialties Rehabilitation

Published

I'm curious to know what the CNA to patient ratio is at your facility? I typically have 16 patients from 7P-7A on an inpatient rehab floor. I'm responsible for answering call lights, toileting, Accu-Cheks, bedtime snacks, vital signs on each pati

Specializes in Utilization Management.

That sounds about right for my rehab unit, when CNAs are actually provided on night shift. The rest of the hospital is a different story and tends to be staffed better, as far as CNA to patient ratio. But that is just the attitude/culture of my facility towards inpatient rehab.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I've worked in subacute SNF rehab as well as acute rehab...

In subacute SNF rehab the CNA/patient ratio can be up to 1:30 on the night shift. At an acute freestanding rehab hospital where I recently worked, the CNA/patient ratio averaged 1:10.

ashleed

6 Posts

It appears as though only part of my original post is viewable. Our 16 bed unit typically stays full with currently one CNA and two nurses. As I was saying, I'm responsible for vitals at least once per shift on each patient and will follow up on anything out of range as well as low blood sugars. Of course there is charting involved for all care provided, 2 water passes, as well as some other clerical tasks to be completed. I often feel overwhelmed as I am often helping one patient and the majority of the nurses will come find me to tell me that so and so needs to go to the bathroom or is in need of such and such. I'm very grateful any time they do answer a call light and apologize that I didn't get to it but also thank them. I don't want to bother or interrupt their med pass or charting but this isn't the kind of care I want to provide. The last night I worked a patient told me that it seemed that the techs were spread too thin and didn't have enough time for her. I apologized and felt sincerely bad about the situation. My nurse manager has tried to put a positive spin on things and say I basically run the unit at night but I really don't find much comfort in that. I'm afraid that money has taken priority over good care. Perhaps this job isn't a good fit for me, even though I'm often praised for doing a good job. What is your unit like?

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