This makes me kind of peeved. A fellow co-worker asked me if there were state or federal mandated ratios for CNA to Patient in a hospital or LTC setting. I pride myself on being pretty well informed and did a bit of research. My research uncovered horror! I hate to stir folks up, but I thought I should post this)
What is really sad is that some of the few states that do have ratios also include RNs/ LPNs, etc who WILL NOT do "aide" work. (Dont flame me RN/LPNs :) .. some of yall may help from time to time,
but for the rest of us it is all on us as far as changing/turning/ etc... and the "I-did-not-get-a-degree-to-wipe-buttocks attitude very common. "If we have to touch patients we don't need you..)
Staffing ratios- CNA/Resident– per state:
AK NONE
AL NONE
AR DAYS: 1:6 EVENINGS: 1:9 NIGHTS: 1:14 (This can include nurses)
AZ NONE
CA NONE
CO NONE
CT NONE
DC DAYS: 1:6 EVENINGS: 1:10 NIGHTS: 1:15
DE DAYS: 1:7 EVENINGS: 1:10 NIGHTS: 1:15
FL NONE
GA NONE
HI NONE
IA NONE
ID NONE
IL NONE
IN NONE
KS NONE
KY NONE
LA NONE
MA NONE
MD NONE
ME DAYS: 1:5 EVENINGS: 1:10 NIGHTS: 1:15 (This can include nurses)
MI DAYS: 1:8 EVENINGS: 1:12 NIGHTS: 1:15
MN NONE
MO NONE
MS NONE
MT **Complicated formula used; 4 hours care for each resident; no actual mandated numbers of staff**
I just began working at a Rehab facility in Washington specializing with brain injury. The ratio of NAC/CNA is 1 to 14-18 residents. All of them are incontinent and highly dependent.
This just sounds wrong and impossible, too. I cannot see how you can care for an incontinent and highly dependent patient with half an hour each or less. Sounds like a recipe for injury or patient harm. How are you handling that job? If you can do it, I'm thinking you're Superduperman. Or woman.
I'm in Wisconsin and I work a 1:20 ratio and this has been the resident load I've worked at every facility, multiple shifts but mostly NOC, in the last three years. Most or all are dependent, incontinent, and some fall risk dementia residents.
my best guess would be because they are so understaffed within the facility that they cant get the help that is needed... I would in a nursing home and from what I hear from the DON and the Administer, they are allowing 5 aides on day, 5 on afternoon, and 4 on midnights; however that's not the case as I've seen anywhere from 2-6 on day, 3 or 4 on afternoon and 1-3 on midnights.. then you have some that are state tested but work in other departments, but they don't help at all (well maybe 1 does but that's cause she cant do a lot as there's limited washing machines).
How do you have half a patient??? (I'm guessing you and a partner share 19 of them.)
They will usually give an extra one to the more able person or give a few easier ones. They have never been shared at my facility.
On 8/3/2014 at 12:05 AM, SeattleJess said:
This just sounds wrong and impossible, too. I cannot see how you can care for an incontinent and highly dependent patient with half an hour each or less. Sounds like a recipe for injury or patient harm. How are you handling that job? If you can do it, I'm thinking you're Superduperman. Or woman.
Night shift, maybe? If not, that would not work so well.
Yeaaaah, that's why I left LTC. I know indiana, from what I HEARD at an old facility of mine(it's hear say, so I doubt it'll happen, BUT knock on wood it will), is supposed to change the staffing ratios because they had a bunch of complaints from LTC. Which doesn't surprise me.
SeattleJess
843 Posts
How do you have half a patient??? (I'm guessing you and a partner share 19 of them.)