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Research Article
The effects of California minimum nurse staffing laws on nurse labor and patient mortality in skilled nursing facilities
Article first published online: 28 JUL 2010
DOI: 10.1002/hec.1638
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Tong, P. K. (2011), The effects of California minimum nurse staffing laws on nurse labor and patient mortality in skilled nursing facilities. Health Econ., 20: 802–816. doi: 10.1002/hec.1638
Publication History
- Issue published online: 3 APR 2011
- Article first published online: 28 JUL 2010
- Manuscript Accepted: 2 JUN 2010
- Manuscript Revised: 22 MAY 2010
- Manuscript Received: 13 NOV 2009
- Abstract
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Keywords:
- nursing homes;
- nurse staffing;
- regulation
Abstract
This article investigates how a change in minimum nurse staffing regulation for California skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) affects nurse employment and how induced changes in nurse staffing affect patient mortality. In 2000, legislation increased the minimum nurse staffing standard and altered the calculation of nurse staffing, which created incentives to shift employment to lower skilled nurse labor. SNFs constrained by the new regulation increase absolute and relative hours worked by the lowest skilled type of nurse. Using this regulation change to instrument for measured nurse staffing levels, it is determined that increases in nurse staffing reduce on-site SNF patient mortality. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.