Why is payroll-based journal data important to nursing home safety?

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payroll binders calculator and worksheetsPayroll-based journal (PBJ) data contains critical information about nursing home staffing levels. Since 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have required nursing homes to submit this data to the agency. Before CMS required PBJ data reporting, many nursing homes self-reported staffing levels, and it was difficult to determine the accuracy of that reporting. PBJ data, however, is auditable and may hold nursing homes more accountable.

Why PBJ?

Nursing homes must electronically submit payroll information to CMS—including who was paid, how much they were paid, and how many hours they worked—four times a year. CMS uses PBJ data for three purposes. Specifically, it can provide necessary information about:

  • Staffing levels at any given time
  • Employee turnover
  • Employee tenure

This information is vital to preventing nursing home resident neglect and abuse.

Nursing Home Staffing Safety

Nursing home staffing levels are not just a matter of bureaucratic government record keeping. More importantly, nursing home staffing levels and staff turnover may be relevant to resident safety. While not every nursing home with staffing issues has a problem with resident safety, there are risks involved with understaffing and high staff turnover rates. Understaffed nursing homes may be unable to provide the necessary care for residents, and residents may suffer from neglect. High turnover rates may mean that new staff is unaware of nursing home procedures or that former staff was uncomfortable with what was happening at the nursing home.

For these reasons, your loved one’s nursing home injury lawyer may be interested in PBJ data or other documentation about nursing home staffing if  she has been hurt by nursing home neglect or abuse. Our experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys know what documents to request and what questions to ask to find out what really happened to your loved one and to protect your legal recovery.

You can take the first step in holding the nursing home accountable and protecting your loved one’s legal rights today. Just call or start a live chat with us to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

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