How should nursing home administrators manage staffing shortages?

Implementing contingency plans and possibly adjusting resident care protocols is a crucial strategy for managing staffing shortages in nursing homes. This approach allows administrators to ensure that residents continue to receive the care they need while adapting to the current workforce limitations. Contingency plans might include reallocating staff, altering roles, or prioritizing essential services to maintain safety and quality of care during a shortage. Adjusting resident care protocols can help match the available resources with the needs of residents, ensuring that the most critical care requirements are met.

In contrast, reducing the number of residents accepted does not solve the underlying issue of staffing shortages. It may temporarily lessen the burden on staff, but it risks limiting access to care for those who need it. Increasing salaries for all staff members could potentially attract new hires, but it may not be feasible or sufficient in the short term to address acute staffing shortages. Prohibiting overtime could exacerbate the situation, as existing employees may already be stretched thin; limiting their ability to work additional hours could further decrease the overall available staff during critical periods.