ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Assembly and Senate recently passed “safe staffing” legislation for nursing homes and hospitals.
The New York State Senate Democratic Majority says it builds on legislation passed in March and includes the following:
Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Standards:
- Require the Commissioner of Health to establish staffing standards for nursing home minimum staffing levels and impose civil penalties for nursing homes that fail to adhere to the minimum standards.
- Nursing homes must meet a daily average of 3.5 hours of nursing care per resident per day with no less than 2.2 hours of care for certified nurse assistants and 1.1 hours for LPN/RN’s.
- The nursing home must post information regarding nurse staffing at the facility.
- Regulations promulgated by the Department of Health to establish the civil penalties will include mitigating factors to account for 1) extraordinary circumstances facing the facility such as officially declared emergencies or natural disasters, 2) the frequency of the violations of the facility, and 3) the existence of a nurse labor shortage in the area of the nursing home.
- The effective date is January 1, 2022 with the civil penalties being enforced starting April 1, 2022.
Source: Anthony Reyes, WKBW – Buffalo
About NYS Nursing Home Coalition
NYS Nursing Home Coalition is dedicated to educating healthcare consumers across New York State, in selecting the SAFEST and highest performing skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers for their loved ones.
This year has been a difficult one for our hospitals and care centers across the state. Now thanks to several vaccines, a bright new day lies ahead, and healthcare centers have been first to inoculate their patients and residents against COVID-19.
There has never been a better and SAFER time to recuperate in a rehab facility from a surgery or illness.
Inquiries: info@nysnursinghomecoalition.com