Differences In Quality Measure Outcomes Found At Nursing Homes With Higher RN Presence Versus CNAs

Nursing home staffing rates for registered nurses (RN) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) have different effects on facility performance on six quality measures. Antipsychotic medication rates were increased at facilities with higher RN staffing, and decreased at facilities with higher CNA staffing. Hospitalizations decreased with more RN staffing and more licensed practical nurse (LPN) staffing, but increased with CNA staffing. Emergency room visits decreased with higher RNs and increased with CNA staffing.

In facilities with higher CNA staffing, the percentage of residents needing help with long-stay activities of daily living and short-stay functioning improved. However, the incidence of . . .