Millions of American families trust nursing homes to care for their elderly loved ones when they cannot live independently. These facilities have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of all residents, and meeting staffing requirements is a major part of this obligation. Failure to meet staffing requirements or other safety regulations can put residents at risk of suffering serious or even fatal injuries and health complications.

At the Cottle Firm, our team of dedicated Las Vegas nursing home attorneys helps families take legal action when these facilities fail to keep their loved ones safe. Suppose your loved one has recently suffered an injury or health complication due to staffing shortages or another form of nursing home negligence. You may have grounds for a personal injury claim against the facility in that case.

No family should have to worry about the safety of a loved one in a nursing home. When a preventable injury does happen due to negligence, these families deserve financial compensation for the personal and financial difficulties they face. Call the Cottle Firm today at 702-722-6111 to discuss your family’s case in a free consultation.

Las Vegas Nursing Home Staff-to-Patient Ratios

The term “staff-to-patient ratio” refers to the number of healthcare professionals available to care for each resident in a nursing home. This ratio is important as it directly influences the quality of care provided. In facilities with sufficient staff members, patients are more likely to receive timely assistance with medical care, daily activities, and personal attention. Conversely, in nursing homes with inadequate staffing, residents are more likely to suffer from neglect, delayed medical attention, and less social engagement. 

Research has consistently shown that lower staff-to-resident ratios in nursing homes are associated with better resident outcomes. For instance, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that higher registered nurse (RN) staffing levels were probably associated with fewer pressure ulcers, possibly fewer infections, and lower rates of moderate to severe pain among residents.

Federal State Nursing Home Staffing Regulations

At the federal level, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sets minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 mandates that nursing homes must have sufficient staff to provide quality care, but does not specify exact staff-to-patient ratios.

On April 22, 2024, CMS updated the Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities rule to address staffing concerns. These new guidelines mandate a total nurse staffing standard of 3.48 hours per resident day (HPRD), including 0.55 HPRD of registered nurse care and 2.45 HPRD of nurse aid care. The remaining 0.48 HPRD can be met with RNs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), or nurse aids. Additionally, an RN must be on-site 24/7 to ensure residents have access to care at all times.

Facilities must also conduct regular assessments to determine staffing needs beyond minimum requirements. CMS has implemented a phased rollout and allows temporary hardship exemptions for facilities that demonstrate good-faith efforts to recruit staff, competitive wages, and local workforce shortages.

Nevada follows these federal staffing requirements, but the state also has its own regulations that apply to other aspects of long-term care.

How Do Staff Ratios Affect Nursing Home Resident Care?

Adequate staffing leads to significantly better outcomes for nursing home residents.

Faster Response Times for Medical Emergencies

Nursing homes with sufficient staff-to-resident ratios are better able to respond to medical emergencies. Immediate interventions can prevent minor issues from escalating into life-threatening conditions. For example, quick administration of medication for a diabetic resident experiencing low blood sugar can prevent serious complications.

Personalized Care and Attention

Residents thrive when they receive individualized attention from caregivers who understand their specific needs. More staff members per resident means that caregivers can develop stronger relationships with those they assist. These relationships can help improve the emotional and mental well-being of residents.

Mental Health and Emotional Support

In addition to treating physical health issues, nursing home staff provide companionship and emotional support. Loneliness is a serious issue among elderly residents, and caregivers contribute to a sense of community and belonging.

Consequences of Understaffing

Understaffing in nursing homes can affect residents in numerous ways, including their physical health, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

Increased Fall Risks

Falls from heights and slip-and-fall accidents are among the leading causes of injury among nursing home residents. Older adults are already at a heightened risk of falls. When staffing levels are not up to standard, residents may not receive the assistance and supervision they need, which increases their risk of falling and suffering a serious injury.

Higher Rates of Bedsores and Infections

Bedsores are a common concern in nursing homes, especially for residents who are bedridden or have limited mobility. Also known as pressure ulcers, these painful sores develop when prolonged pressure cuts off circulation to the skin, causing tissue damage. Bedsores can become severely infected if not treated properly and may result in complications like sepsis or even death.

Understaffed nursing homes often fail to provide the necessary level of care to prevent bedsores. When staff members are stretched thin, they may not have enough time to regularly reposition patients, which is a key step in preventing bedsores. Additionally, proper hygiene practices like cleaning and moisturizing may be overlooked, which increases the risk of infections.

Higher Risk of Malnutrition and Dehydration

In understaffed long-term care facilities, proper nutrition and hydration may be neglected. Staff members may not have the resources or time to ensure that residents are eating and drinking properly. Understaffed nursing homes may also struggle to keep track of residents’ dietary restrictions or special needs. 

Malnutrition and dehydration can result in a host of serious health problems, including weakened immune systems, poor wound healing, and decreased muscle strength. For elderly residents, these conditions can exacerbate underlying health issues and increase the risk of infections or other complications.

Emotional Distress and Mental Health Issues

Nursing home residents often need emotional support and social interaction to maintain their mental health. Understaffed nursing homes may struggle to provide sufficient one-on-one attention, which can cause residents to feel neglected. This lack of social engagement can lead to depression, anxiety, and even cognitive decline.

In addition, when staff members are overworked or stressed, they may not have the emotional bandwidth to provide the compassionate care that residents need. This can create a tense, impersonal atmosphere that negatively affects both residents and staff.

Lower Overall Quality of Care

When nursing homes are understaffed, the quality of care declines across the board. If staff members are overburdened with too many patients, they could cut corners or rush through care tasks. This could mean failing to document important medical information, missing critical signs of an illness or injury, or skipping assessments that could catch early warning signs of problems.

Legal Options After Injuries Caused by Understaffing

Nursing homes that fail to meet federal or state staffing requirements may face legal consequences if a lack of proper care results in harm to residents. Failure to meet these staffing requirements or to address the needs of residents may be considered neglect or abuse.

Families may take legal action in cases of understaffing when residents suffer injuries, infections, malnutrition, or emotional distress due to the facility’s inability to provide adequate care. The victim’s family may file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and other damages. If the family and their personal injury attorney can prove neglect, the facility may be held liable for damages.

In addition to lawsuits, regulatory agencies may levy penalties and sanctions as punishments for understaffing. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state agencies like the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services regularly monitor nursing homes for compliance with staffing regulations. If a facility is found to be understaffed or failing to provide adequate care, it may lose its certification and federal funding.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Understaffing?

Families of nursing home residents should be aware of the following signs of understaffing:

  • Residents appear unkempt, malnourished, or dehydrated.
  • Long wait times for assistance with basic needs.
  • Frequent injuries or hospitalizations for preventable conditions.
  • Staff appearing overworked or unavailable.

If you suspect that your loved one’s facility is understaffed, here are some steps you can take to address the issue:

  • Speak with Nursing Home Administrators: Families concerned about understaffing should first discuss the issue with the facility’s administration and request detailed staffing information.
  • File a Complaint: If the first step does not resolve the issue, families may file a complaint with the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division or the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Consult an Attorney: In cases involving preventable injuries, health complications, neglect, or abuse, families should consider contacting an experienced Las Vegas nursing home lawyer to explore their legal options.
  • Report to Law Enforcement: In cases of serious neglect or abuse, families should report the issue to law enforcement.

Discuss Your Case With a Las Vegas Nursing Home Lawyer

If you suspect that a loved one is being neglected or harmed due to understaffing, the compassionate Las Vegas nursing home lawyers of the Cottle Firm are here to help. We are dedicated to holding negligent nursing homes accountable and ensuring that your loved ones receive the quality of care they deserve. Contact us today at 702-722-6111 for a free consultation to discuss your family’s legal options.