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Nurse staffing levels jeopardize worker safety

LTC Liability Monitor, September 29, 2005

Having fewer nurses on staff often means more SNF worker injuries, not to mention spikes in absenteeism and worker compensation claims, according to a study in the July 1 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, reported that nursing home employees are at a higher risk of injury when staff shortages occur.

The study found that when registered nurse staffing fell to just 9%, staff injury and illness rates jumped by 65%. Most injuries to nurses reportedly occurred while lifting or transferring residents. Research proved that with each additional hour of nurse staffing time, injuries decreased by 16%. For more information on this study, visit, the Web site of the American Journal of Public Health at http://www.ajph.org.

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