Impact of using a centralized matching process on nursing home staffing

•Studies effectiveness of centralized matching process used to alleviate staffing shortages in Massachusetts nursing homes.•Number of generated matches was significantly associated with increases in staff-to-resident ratio of nursing homes.•Comparing two regression models reveals how the process expedited increases in staff-to-resident ratio of nursing homes.•Supports using centralized process during emergencies for speedy matching of available nurses with jobs in nursing homes.