Staff to patient ratio IA

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Specializes in LTC, home health, private care.

Does anyone know where I can find information about laws regulating staff to patient ratios in Iowa? Our facility is getting out of hand... I know I can't keep up with the load anymore. I want to say I had 34 residents under my care this weekend, and several of them are pretty high acuity. I know my one CNA was caring for 25 residents. And they just keep taking more.

Our CNA's are breaking under the load, and I am to a point where I really can't help help them because it's all I can do to finish my own work. I do what I can to make sure they get out on time. Usually I am at least an hour late getting out. I know that to an extent this is fairly normal, but I think this facility is beginning to push it as far as safety goes.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Here are some links to discussions about this.

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/common/pdf/workforce/summary_of_nursing_public_hearing.pdf

http://www.iowanurses.org/issues/legislative/exsumm05.htm

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Specializes in LTC, home health, private care.

Thank you kindly.

So....

Unless I'm reading something wrong, there are no actual laws for staff to patient ratios in the hospital on in LTC. What a shame.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

There is an effort to push for Federal Laws regarding safe staffing.

The American Nurses Association has launched a new Web site dedicated to the issue of safe staffing. The new site educates nurses about ANA's history of advocacy on the issue, provides updates on the newest information and developments, and gives tools to get involved.

The site allows nurses to share their own stories and concerns. Through the site, nurses can also stay informed about the latest developments on Capitol Hill and contact their members of Congress to urge their support.

Here is a link to that site.

http://www.safestaffingsaveslives.org/

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Specializes in Intensive Care and Cardiology.

I don't believe we (Iowa) have any staffing laws. That sounds typical of the patient load in Nursing Homes around here unfortunately.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I believe the ANA as well as most of the other nursing organizations, argue for safe staffing levels in HOSPITALS only. We, the nurses who work in skilled facilities, are most usually left out of any discussion.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele/LTC.
I believe the ANA as well as most of the other nursing organizations, argue for safe staffing levels in HOSPITALS only. We, the nurses who work in skilled facilities, are most usually left out of any discussion.

Lord have mercy, that is SO wrong.......

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Specializes in Vascular Access Nurse.

I've been told for a while now that our state wants at least 20:1 patient:staff ratios...but that includes all RNs, LPNs and CNA's in the facility...that can still leave you with 2 CNA's and 1 LPN for 60 pts. I've worked 11-7 shift in charge of 75 pts with 4 CNAs....11 G-tubes and 3 IVs running. Gosh, we were overstaffed!! So, staffing laws might help, but there are always ways to get around them.

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