Nursing home workers told stories about dangerously understaffed
facilities at a Jan. 30 state Department of Public Health hearing in
Sacramento.

The department has not yet decided whether to continue emergency
regulations that allow nursing homes to operate with fewer than the
required 3.2 nursing hours per patient per day.

While nursing home operators say staffing requirements are unnecessary,
UHW members testified differently based on their own daily experience.

Betty Arias, a certified nursing assistant who works the night shift at
Golden Living Center in Stockton, said she's responsible for about 20
residents at her facility.  Denise Moore, from Sierra Health Care
Convalescent Hospital in Davis, said she worked 29 days in a row at her
nursing home and routinely worked 16-hour shifts. And Roseanne Dimenco
of Evergreen New Hope Care Center in Tracy said she's unable to give her
patients ample time to get ready during the morning rush hour.

Other members who testified, all certified nursing assistants, were:
Lilah Pinchera, Sierra Healthcare Center, Davis; Ruby Guzman, Creekside
Health Care Center, San Pablo; and Jazmin Giovannie, Beverly Living Care
Center, Galt.