Question

What does the State of California say about patient ratio's for SNF?

The R.N. is in charge of an 80-bed skilled facility, and 2 of her LVNs called off work for the evening. The 2 LVNs pass meds on a low acuity unit where the Seniors are very active in their own Activities of Daily Living. The R.N. in charge now must make sure all evening medications are administered before 9pm. She is also responsible for all the evening IV’s and documentation. The CNAs, on these 2 units, were RNs in their own country and are within a week of finishing school to become Registered Nurses. The soon to be nurses have not yet passed their State Board Exam, however, will be taking their state board exam within a few weeks. The R.N. in charge directs the 2 CNAs to give all the Over The Counter (OTC) Medications to the patients on their units while she prepares all of the prescription medications & I.V. medications.

Answer 1

Ans. The state of California will say that patients ratio's fir SNF is low from desired according to "TITLE 22".

According to Title 22, “Nurse Administrators, Nurse Supervisors, Nurse Managers, and Charge Nurses, and other licensed nurses shall be included in the calculation of the licensed nurse-to-patient ratio only when those licensed nurses are engaged in providing direct patient care. When a Nurse Administrator, Nurse Supervisor, Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse or other licensed nurse is engaged in activities other than direct patient care, that nurse shall not be included in the ratio.”