Gracedale's two-year run as a deficiency free nursing home is over. Raymond Soto, Permier's new Administrator, informed Council at their August 18 meeting that four deficiencies were noted by the State Department of Health in July. All relate to resident care.
According to Soto, the nursing home was cited for failure to notify a resident's doctor and family concerning an injury; failure to rule out potential abuse as the cause of an injury; a medication error with a resident suffering from dementia and anxiety; and a resident who fell when not provided with a doctor-ordered pelvic belt.
Council also noted a substantial increase in the number of employees taking FMLA (unpaid family medical leave), which was at 123 in July.
Executive John Brown explained that he believes this increase is a reaction to changes in the facility's absentee policy.
Last year, he explained, as many as 700 of 800 employees were calling in sick at least once every month. He claimed the cost was between $2.5 and $4 million, and that Gracedale could have been budget neutral but for all these absences. "We're bleeding out the backdoor," he complained.
So Brown, in conjunction with AFSCME, the union representing most Gracedale workers, tightened the absentee policy. This new policy, which took effect at the beginning of this year, reduced absenteeism by 50%.
But he said that as he tightens one policy, some employees who "want to abuse the system" will take advantage of other programs.
Brown indicated that Human Resources Director Amy Trapp is educating managers and supervisors on the various policies so that no program is abused.
Did anyone ask how many employees are out on Workers Compensation?
ReplyDeleteNo one asked.
ReplyDeleteThank god for the C.O.A.F and it's brave leaders who sheilded this treasured institution from the callous treachery of Norcos axis of evil.
ReplyDeleteThere is no work ethic anymore, these cry babies take off of work for a runny nose then go to the doctor for a note and want off three days, GO TO WORK!!!!! And don't forget the people applying for disability.
ReplyDeleteCan this be qualified? Did they review just 4 cases or was this out of 100's of cases? If so, doesn't that seem like it was gone over with a fine toothed comb? 4 defaults out of 100's isn't that bad. I am all for selling the place, but 4 mishaps doesn't seem that bad. You get much worse at the doctor's office or at the hospital. I am a man in my 50's. I write down every time that I am a pregnant female on the paperwork for years. Hasn't been caught yet.
ReplyDeleteBrown needs to look in the mirror. He is the biggest abuser of the system, spoils that is! Please got away you jerk. Another hypocritical politician.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a union apologist whatsoever, but if people come into a nursing environment with any type of cold or flu symptoms, that could be a death sentence for the residents there who are usually dealing with deficient immune systems to begin with.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely correct.
ReplyDeleteSell the stinkin joint and join the 21st century.
ReplyDeleterid us of these union pussies as ingrate children hide their parents assets so they can suck off the county until their parents die and then reap the bennies. this white elephant should have been sold years ago. Protect the many taxpayers an fuck the users
ReplyDeletePeople can say ugly things when they dpn't have to accept responsibility for their words. Name?
ReplyDeleteHiding assets is as illegal at Gracedale at it is at any private home. Where do you people come up with this crap?
ReplyDeleteI normally do not post on blogs, but this has me very upset! My mother in law is currently in gracedale and did not own property, etc. She lived with her sister in an apartment and when her sister passed away, we took her into our home. She is 86 years old and has dementia. We cared for her as long as we could beings that me and my husband have to work to keep us going. It was not easy and had to place her there because we didn't have money to afford a full time adult day care! So to the people who say family is hiding money, I hope it doesn't happen to you. She gets $1,400 a month which gracedale gets all except for $40 a month. We have to pay for her adult diapers,etc. and all the things that you don't want to think about when you get to that point. Maybe you are rich, but we are not. You also do not get the weekly phone calls that she is getting worse and your heart aches because there is nothing you can do.
ReplyDeletePlease don't be distressed by sad anonymous cowards who hurl these insults. I am sorry about your mother-in-law's condition, and as I am sure you can see yourself, the staff really do care about the residents.
ReplyDelete