RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Program evaluation to describe nursing hours per patient day (NHPPD) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and to evaluate Staffing Methodology in the VHA Community Living Centers (CLCs). METHODS: Targeted and actual NHPPD were compiled retrospectively for each VHA CLC unit over a one-year timeframe for calendar year 2019. For descriptive analyses, actual NHPPD were averaged across months for each CLC unit. RESULTS: The mean for actual hours as a percent of target was 121.6% (95% CI, 118.5 to 124.7%) indicating the units' average hours across 2019 were 21.6% significantly higher than target. The actual NHPPD significantly differed across months (p<0.001) with the 2019 months of January and October having the highest NHPPD. CONCLUSIONS: Veteran safety is a VHA priority and appropriate nurse staffing is key to providing care that improves Veteran outcomes. Further exploration is needed on the impact of nurse staffing on Veteran outcomes, safety, and satisfaction.
