Likely due to staffing shortages, U.S. nursing home capacity has declined by 15% or more in some cases since the COVID-19 pandemic began, potentially narrowing access to long-term care and complicating hospital releases, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The researchers used the 2018-2024 CMS payroll-based journal to measure changes in SNF capacity since 2020, and found reductions of 15% or more at a quarter of facilities. The number of licensed SNF beds fell 2.5%, and operating capacity dropped 5%, from 2019 to 2024. In total, 25% of SNFs saw capacity reductions of 15.1% or more, with the largest declines tending to occur in rural counties.
In a social media landscape shaped by hashtags, algorithms, and viral posts, nurse leaders must decide: Will they let the narrative spiral, or can they adapt and join the conversation?
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