Staffing & Quality in California's Nursing Homes

This report analyzes California statewide nursing home data submitted to the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and the California Department of Health, Licensing, and Certification Program, Automated Certification and Licensing Administrative Information and Management Systems between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2003. The data were analyzed by type of facility and ownership to determine the association of staff turnover and facility quality problems which were determined by the number of health and safety violations reported to state quality inspectors. The violations are referred to as deficiencies.

The following statistics are among the findings in this report:

• 79% of hospital-based facilities and 21% of free-standing facilities meet the 1999 staffing standards of 3.2 staff hours per resident day
   
• Homes with more staff have higher staff satisfaction rates, significantly less turnover, and fewer documented deficiencies in care
   
• Nearly half of resident complaints center on poor food and more than 38% of complaints concern quality of care