Nurse-Patient Ratio in SNF???

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Specializes in SNF.

Is it really true that California has no Nurse to Patient ratio in a Skilled Nursing Facility? I am a new grad LVN and have been on the floor alone numerous times with 38 patients, 6 G-tubes, answering phones, taking orders, ordering meds, checking meal trays for errors, treatments and in charge of 6 CNA's. I have searched for Laws and Regulations, and recently was told, there is no ratio...does this meant that I could be doing this for 200 patients (hopefully an exageration) and this would be legal?????:angryfire

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

That's basically correct. There is no ratio law. My first LVN job was exactly like that; 38 pts, 6 GT's; etc. Actually 38 patients is fairly low compared to most of them. Most of my LVN friends had at least 50 pts a shift. The most I've ever heard of one nurse having by herself was 62 patients on a shift! I think that it's very unreasonable also; but part of the reason that you're on your own is because of the nursing shortage and probably mostly that they don't want to pay the $ for an extra nurse.

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How about a ratio for other facilities? a hospital for instance?

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The minimum is horrible at 3.0 hours per patient day (HPPD). This can be averaged over 24 hours.

Safe staffing ratios are needed. I don't think this governor would sign a bill into law.

Many facilities do staff better than the minimum.

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BARCLAYS OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS

TITLE 22. SOCIAL SECURITY

DIVISION 5. LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION OF HEALTH FACILITIES, HOME HEALTH

AGENCIES, CLINICS, AND REFERRAL AGENCIES

CHAPTER 3. SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES

ARTICLE 3. REQUIRED SERVICES

This database is current through 06/09/06, Register 2006, No. 23.

s 72329. Nursing Service -Staff.

(a) Nursing service personnel shall be employed and on duty in at least the number and with the qualifications determined by the Department to provide the necessary nursing services for patients admitted for care. The Department may require a facility to provide additional staff as set forth in Section 72501(g).

(b) Facilities licensed for 59 or fewer beds shall have at least one registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, awake and on duty, in the facility at all times, day and night.

© Facilities licensed for 60 to 99 beds shall have at least one registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse, awake and on duty, in the facility at all times, day and night, in addition to the director of nursing services. The director of nursing service shall not have charge nurse responsibilities.

(d) Facilities licensed for 100 or more beds shall have at least one registered nurse, awake and on duty, in the facility at all http://ccr.oal.ca.gov/linkedslice/default.asp?SP=CCR-1000&Action=HOME.

(e) Nursing stations shall be staffed with nursing personnel when patients are housed in the nursing unit.

(f) Each facility shall employ sufficient nursing staff to provide a minimum daily average of 3.0 nursing hours per patient day.

(1) Facilities which provide care for mentally disordered patients and in which licensed psychiatric technicians provide patient care shall meet the following standards:

(A) If patients are not certified for special treatment programs, facilities shall employ sufficient staff to provide a minimum daily average of 3.0 nursing hours per patient day.

http://ccr.oal.ca.gov/linkedslice/default.asp?SP=CCR-1000&Action=HOME

From the link go to "Title 22"

Then "Licensing and Certification of Healthcare Facilities"

Then "Skilled Nursing Facilities"

To "Basic Services"

The "Nursing staff"

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How about a ratio for other facilities? a hospital for instance?

The links and discussion are in this thread:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f137/california-patient-ratio-158641.html

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Spacenurse:

Thank you very much for your input....unbelievable!:angryfire

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hey all!

is there an area in cali that tends to staff better than others? the san diego area is so not one of them. how about no. cal? thanks everyone

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