6 July 2001

QNU Survey Reveals Continuing Problems in Aged Care

The QNU has again conducted a survey of members employed in aged care facilities and the preliminary findings of that survey reveal that staffing cuts and changes to skills mix have continued in aged care facilities.

The preliminary findings of this survey indicate:

• 86.5% of respondents indicated that the allocation of registered nurses by the provider was not adequate to meet the care needs of their residents 
• The maximum number of residents a registered nurse may be responsible for has increased to 170 (the QNU's previous survey indicated the maximum number was 150) 
• Only 16 out of 146 respondents indicated that AIN staffing levels were always adequate 
• 14 out of 165 respondents indicated having enough time to meet the emotional/psychosocial needs of residents 
• Only 11 Registered Nurses indicated they had sufficient time to perform resident assessments despite it being a legal requirement that a Registered Nurse perform the initial and on-going assessment of residents' needs 
• Staff are continuing to work through meal and rest breaks and work unpaid overtime on a regular basis to ensure basic care for residents 
• Some respondents indicated an increase in resident falls, pressure sores, resident accidents (other than falls) and nosocomial infections particularly in facilities where the Registered Nurse to resident ratio was in excess of 1 to 60. 
• 63.5% of respondents indicated excessive workloads caused stress, hypertension and anxiety related illnesses to them. 

In addition, the QNU continues to receive reports of staffing cuts following Accreditation in some facilities. It is simply insufficient for Accreditation to be determined based on paper based plans and processes - particularly where there is no analysis of whether those plans are actually being implemented!