HospitalInspections.org

Based on staffing patterns and interview, it was determined there was no evidence the facility based staffing on the needs of the patients in that the facility utilized a benchmark system which based staffing on a total number of nursing personnel required for each Unit. Staffing based solely on a number of nursing personnel did not assure the patient acuity/needs were taken into account in determining staffing.

A. Interview with the Director of Patient Care on 10/17/12 at 1100 revealed there was no policy to address patient needs in staffing decisions; staffing was based on a benchmark number system, which each Unit had a required number of nursing personnel needed based on previous staffing benchmarks.

B. Review of the benchmark system revealed staffing was based on a number of nursing personnel required for a Unit and did not take into account the acuity/needs of the patients on the Units.