Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to Patient Ratio: State Guidelines & Total Care

State Guidelines for CNA to patient ratio:

- Hospitals:

- 1 CNA for every 4-6 medical-surgical patients.

- 1 CNA for every 2 ICU or critical care patients.

- Nursing homes

- 1 CNA for every 10 - 12 residential care patients

- Assisted Living Facilities (ALF)

- 1 CNA for every 12 - 20 residents

- Hospice

- 1 CNA for every 8 hospice patients

Guidelines for Total-care patients:

Total care patients are individuals who require assistance with all Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). ADLs include:

* Eating

* Bathing

* Dressing

* Toileting

* Transferring (i.e., getting in and out of a chair or bed)

* Continence management

IADLs include tasks commonly done by adults in a day, such as:

* Cooking

* Cleaning

* Shopping

* Managing finances

* Transportation

* Medication management

The ratio of CNAs to total care patients is typically 1:2, but this may vary depending on the patient's needs and the policies of the healthcare facility.