Q: I work at a SNF facility that assigns NOC shift CNAs 20-28 residents to care for in an 8-hour shift, is this legal?
I have worked at multiple SNF facilities (Post-Acute care, LTC STC) that assign 20-28 residents in an 8-hour NOC shift or 10 residents in an 8-hour PM shift to one CNA. Many need incontinence, toileting, feeding, bathing, & hygiene care assistance, fall risk monitoring & pain management, dementia, emotional, psychological, and/or psychiatric care needs. Many of my patients/residents report to me that call lights are not answered and their needs are not being met. The facilities regularly run out of supplies, the vital cart machines are broken and they don't have thermometers forcing low-paid CNAs to purchase vital sign measurement equipment. Is it legal for the facility to expect that one CNA can care for so many residents and not provide appropriate supplies for patient care? I live in San Jose, CA, and have experienced these issues at 4 facilities in Santa Clara Counity.
A:
As an attorney whose practice focuses on older adults, this is very disturbing to hear reports like this. I would suggest you call California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR.ORG) at 800-474-1116. They're a non-profit that advocates for older adults, particularly those in SNF''s.
For your own sake, you should be cautious about disclosing names of specific facilities in public forums such as this.
Brad S Kane agrees with this answer
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