U.S. News evaluated over 14,600 skilled nursing facilities for its 2027 report, finding modest gains in nurse staffing levels and a slight increase in staff retention. Direct care nursing minutes increased from 26.5 to 27 minutes per resident per day, while staff retention improved from 53% to 54% on average.
Staffing Gains And Quality Metrics
The report highlights these modest staffing gains as a win for the nursing home sector, with top performing facilities experiencing 21% fewer hospital readmissions and 19% fewer emergency room visits compared to the national average. According to Jordan Derk, senior care researcher with U.S. News, the best nursing homes on the list also provided 19% more total staffing per resident per day compared to the national average. Top performers offered two times as much physical therapy per resident day as the national average, which reinforces outcomes and improves the quality of care.
Mental Health Crisis
However, the report also notes a troubling trend: depressive symptoms among long-term care residents rose sharply, from 10% to 13% compared to last year. This surge in depressive symptoms among residents is a significant concern, as it can impact the quality of care and overall well-being of residents. Derk said that while modest gains in nurse staffing levels are encouraging, the rise in depressive symptoms is a significant issue that needs attention.
Patient Safety And Labor Implications
The link between worker wellbeing and patient safety is a critical concern, as the report suggests that modest staffing gains may mask deeper mental health crises among workers. The rise in depressive symptoms among residents and the potential burnout among workers can have serious implications for patient safety and labor retention. U.S. News framework for its nursing home report uses process, structural, and outcome measures to determine scores, which reinforces the importance of addressing worker wellbeing and resident care.
Future Outlook
More than 18% of facilities earned the “Best Nursing Home” designation for 2027, with 43 metropolitan areas having 10 or more Best Nursing Homes. The report emphasizes the need for consistent data on short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents, as well as the importance of providing holistic approaches to workforce wellbeing. As the nursing home sector continues to evolve, addressing the mental health crisis among workers and residents will be crucial for improving the quality of care and patient safety. The next step for the sector will be to build on these modest gains and address the deeper issues affecting worker wellbeing and resident care, with the goal of providing high-quality care for all residents.
Sources
- U.S. News Nursing Home Report: ‘Encouraging’ Staffing Gains, Troubling Depressive Symptoms on the Rise
- The best nursing homes, according to US News
Photo: Linda Bartlett (Photographer) (Public domain)
