What is the minimum staffing ratio for protective oversight during the evening shift?

The minimum staffing ratio for protective oversight during the evening shift is set to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in a nursing home environment. A ratio of 1:15 indicates that for every staff member, there can be up to 15 residents under their care during this time. This ratio is important as it allows for adequate supervision, assistance, and timely responses to residents' needs while maintaining a manageable workload for staff.

In the context of nursing home care, particularly during evening shifts when fewer staff members may be present, maintaining an appropriate ratio is crucial for both resident safety and staff effectiveness. This standard is designed to facilitate proper oversight, allowing staff to attend to emergencies or special needs that may arise effectively.

Higher ratios, such as 1:20 or more, could compromise the quality of care and the ability of staff to respond adequately, while lower ratios, such as 1:10 or 1:12, would allocate more staff than necessary for the population, potentially leading to inefficient use of resources. Therefore, the ratio of 1:15 effectively balances resident safety with staff efficiency.