News

Nursing Home Network Special Call - Minimum Staffing

On September 21, 2023 by Mark Schulz

CMS published the nursing home minimum staffing standards proposed rule in the Federal Register on Sept. 6, 2023, and proposes standards that include minimum staffing for Registered Nurses (RNs) and nurse aides.

Minimum Staffing Standard – 24/7 RN Requirement

On September 21, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the nursing home minimum staffing standards proposed rule in the Federal Register on Sept. 6 and proposes standards that include minimum staffing for Registered Nurses (RNs) and nurse aides (NAs). 

Minimum Staffing Standard Overview and Data Analysis

On September 7, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the nursing home minimum staffing standards proposed rule in the Federal Register on Sept. 6 and proposes standards that include minimum staffing for registered nurses (RNs) and nurse aides.

CMS Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Study Leaked

On August 31, 2023 by Mark Schulz

A nursing home minimum staffing feasibility study commissioned by CMS was leaked this week. The key findings provide important insights into the challenges of proposing and implementing staffing ratios in nursing homes.

New Resources! Background Checks, Cannabis, Education, and Staffing Tools for Members

On August 24, 2023 by Kari Everson

Four new resources requested by members are now available in LeadingAge Minnesota’s Resource Library related to cannabis, education requirements, staffing in assisted living, and background checks.

US Senators Send Letter to CMS on Minimum Staffing Standards

On February 16, 2023 by Mark Schulz

On Feb. 10, US Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey (DFL-PA) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (DFL-OR) sent a multi-member letter to CMS regarding upcoming regulations to create a minimum staffing standard.

LeadingAge Calls of Feds to “Get Real on Ratios”

On February 2, 2023 by Mark Schulz

On Tuesday, LeadingAge released its “Get Real on Ratios” effort to advocate for a realistic federal minimum staffing requirement reflecting the reality of current staffing and funding crises.

LeadingAge Responds to USAToday Nursing Home Staffing Story

On December 8, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

In response to a USAToday investigative report published on Dec. 1, 2022, examining staffing levels in nursing homes ("Many nursing homes are poorly staffed. How do they get away with it?"), LeadingAge CEO and President Katie Smith Sloan passionately defended the nation's long-term care and skilled nursing operators. She reiterated, "[f]inger pointing and blame helps no one. It's time for a clear-eyed, fact-based approach to ensure older Americans and families can access the quality nursing home care they deserve."

CMS Researchers Enter Nursing Homes to Establish a Federal Staffing Standard

On August 25, 2022 by Anna Mowry

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to conduct a four-part analysis in pursuit of establishing a federal minimum staffing standard in nursing homes. As part of their study, researchers will visit 75 nursing homes across the country over the next three months though none are planned for Minnesota sites. A national staffing plan would be incorporated into skilled nursing proposed rules published next spring.

Variance Request Required for 24-Hour Staffing Rule in Assisted Living

On August 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

If your assisted living setting satisfies the 24-hour staffing rule by utilizing staff from another licensed setting, you must request a variance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to remain in compliance with assisted living requirements.

Updates from CMS on Staffing Standards Study in Nursing Homes

On August 11, 2022 by Anna Mowry

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that, due to the significant response to the Request for Information on establishing a minimum staffing standard, it will conclude the staffing study in December. Initially, we expected the study to be part of the recently-issued final 2023 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System rule.

Senior Living Staffing: Challenges & Opportunities Webinar

On March 24, 2022 by LeadingAge

Sodexo Seniors and McKnight's Senior Living are hosting a free webinar on the staffing challenges facing senior services on March 30 at noon (CT). Along with Sodexo Seniors CEO (Zeta Smith) and VP Human Resources (Jim Moran), Matt McNeill, Director of Senior Living at StuartCo and a LeadingAge Minnesota member, will be the featured presenters.

Webinar - Senior Living Staffing: Challenges & Opportunities

On March 17, 2022 by LeadingAge

Sodexo Seniors and McKnight's Senior Living are hosting a free webinar on the staffing challenges facing senior services on March 30 at noon (CT). Along with Sodexo Seniors CEO (Zeta Smith) and VP Human Resources (Jim Moran), Matt McNeill, Director of Senior Living at StuartCo and a LeadingAge Minnesota member, will be the featured presenters.

Recent CDC Guidance on Healthcare Workers Who Test Positive for COVID-19

On January 13, 2022 by Kari Everson

In the recent CDC guidance revisions, there were notable changes in the return-to-work guidance for healthcare workers who test positive for COVID-19. The guidance is divided into three options depending on whether the organization is in conventional staffing, contingency staffing, or crisis staffing. 

OIG Finds Shortcomings in CMS Use of Nursing Home Staffing Data

On March 17, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

In response to an evaluation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), CMS stated last week that it will continue working to publicly report on nurse staff turnover and tenure, as required by federal law.

State Support Still Available for PPE, Testing, Staffing

On February 17, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

While COVID-19 cases in aging services settings have fallen sharply in recent months, we know the virus is still having a serious impact on many providers.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) wishes to remind providers that it continues to have resources available for nursing homes and assisted living providers that need support:

Your Awesome Staff Deserve Recognition – Nominate them for Stars Among Us Awards

On December 16, 2020 by Barbara Landeen

Your staff has been working extremely hard this year in unprecedented conditions. Want to do something special for them? We have just the thing – our annual Stars Among Us Awards honor and celebrate caregivers, leaders and rising stars in our settings throughout Minnesota.

The Mentor’s Voice Launched

On December 9, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman

LeadingAge National has launched a new podcast called The Mentor’s Voice. This podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and other platforms, provides students and young professionals an opportunity to candidly learn from leaders in the field of aging. The goal is to disseminate wisdom and knowledge to emerging leaders and to inspire and inform their career journey.

CMS Announces Updates to Five Star Quality Rating System

On December 9, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced (QSO-21-06-NH) on December 4 that the Five Star Quality Rating system will resume all updates with the January 2021 refresh. Due to the public health emergency (PHE) first issued in March 2020, the 3 domains of the rating system had previously been held constant at varying times throughout the past 9 months as a result of changes to health inspections and certain temporary regulatory waivers. During this time, CMS also unveiled the new Care Compare site, which officially replaced all legacy sites, including Nursing Home Compare, on December 1, 2020. Complete updates to the Five Star Quality Rating system will be available at the new Care Compare site on January 27, 2021.

Clarification on Return to Work by Healthcare Personnel Exposed to COVID-19

On November 4, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

We received a question recently asking if a healthcare worker who experiences a high risk exposure to COVID-19, but who is asymptomatic and has not tested positive for the virus, may return to work prior to the end of his or her 14-day quarantine – if staffing needs are acute. The answer is yes, but only if certain conditions are met.