New Pa. nursing home regulations may require more hires at facilities

Matt Yarnell, president of the labor union SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, which represents thousands of long-term care workers across the state, said the new requirements should create safer environments for everyone.

He said the regulation changes could also help retain and recruit professionals in the industry.

“The staffing ratio itself is about creating the kind of conditions that allow caregivers to focus on providing good care,” Yarnell said, “and not being in positions where they’re taking care of way too many people and not being able to do their job, and do it well.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Health will oversee and enforce the new requirements.

Jeanne Parisi, Deputy Secretary for Quality Assurance, said the department has been working to prepare nearly 700 long-term care facilities across the state for new staffing levels.

Parisi said the department conducts a site visit and inspection at each facility every 15 months or more frequently if reported issues or complaints occur.

At that time, state officials will verify that staffing ratios are being met. The state will cite facilities that are not complying with the new regulations and require them to submit and implement a plan of correction. If they fail to do that, facilities risk penalties.

To meet even tighter staffing ratios and direct care time limits scheduled for next year, Parisi said the state and its partners would work toward improving the workforce pipeline by increasing training and education opportunities.