Cutting bedside care by 18 minutes per day for each resident can have serious and even catastrophic consequences for them.
Without adequate, hands-on care, residents are subject to:
- Reduced monitoring, which may increase falls, infections and even cause premature death
- Infrequent repositioning, which increases risk of bedsores
- Less time to assist residents with eating, which can cause malnutrition and dehydration
- Reduced personal interaction
These health risks were commonplace in Florida until we passed a landmark safe staffing law in 2001 with bipartisan support greatly improving care in our state.
Safe staffing must remain a top priority to ensure that the highest quality of care is provided to our seniors and people living with a disability.
