The most serious issue involved a resident whose catheter bag was observed on the floor twice.
Another deficiency was the use of a jumpsuit for a resident for infection control. A state surveyor considered the jumpsuit a restraint because it is zippered in the back.
Other problems included demented residents observed eating with a knife, their fingers or stealing chips and a banana. Finally, an employee failed to log a range of motion exercise for a resident even though she performed the exercise.
Currently, the census of Gracedale is down to about 490. In July, it was 569. "That's a lot of empty beds," noted Council member John Cusick.
In addition to a sharp drop in census, Stewart-King told Cusick there were about 200 vacancies. She had no exact number.
On a more positive note, Stewart-King indicated that 65-70% of the staff have been vaccinated and added there is a $750 incentive. She added that, though the Biden administration has made vaccinations mandatory, she is still waiting for guidance. Until then, vaccines are strongly encouraged, but not mandatory, at Gracedale. Those who are unvaccinated are tested twice a week.
Prior to Stewart-King's report, Director of Nursing Dawn Tuersfeldman provided Council with a litany of changes made at Gracedale, both before and after Covid.
Before the advent of the pandemic, the McClur administaion made the following changes: (1) It replaced a privatized Administrator with a home-grown Administrator (Jennifer Stewart-King); (2) Email accounts were provided for all LPNs and CNAs to improve communication; (3) It began using MH provider Haven House; (4) 14 new vital signs machines were added, along with new therapy equipment; (5) portable phones connected to call bell in lower units; (6) the LANTA bus route schedule improved ; (7) food cart delivery was improved to keep food warm longer; (8) an anonymous complaint hotline for staff was established; (9) CNA trainee classes every four weeks; (9) new furniture in nursing units; (10) electronic medical records (11) referral bonus; and (12) a recruiter position
In response to the pandemic, the following measures have been taken: (1) dedicated unit (Tower 10) for Covid residents, which is being converted into a negative pressure unit; (2) acquisition of PPE; (3) in-house drug testing for new hires (got results instantly); (4) 8-hour temp CNA program (CMS granted waiver); (5) recruit on tv, radio and billboards; (6) hazard pay to front-line staff: (7) automatic door openers to improve infection control; (8) new lab gives test results immediately: (9) Lytbot UV for disinfection; (10) stipend to attend CNA class; (11) Ipad and window visits implemented along with compassionate care visits; (12) monoclonal antibodies for Gracedale residents started; (13) four day weeks and 12-hour weekends started March; (14) weekly staff development for new hires; (15) Reducing prescriptions; (16) contracted with agency to bring in 10 international nurses (all RNs); (17) Infection control position created; and (18) AEDs ordered for every unit.
16 comments:
McClure should have neve fired the private company. His desire to control; everything got in the way of sound judgement.
As soon as they fire unvaccinated workers, the vaccination rate will improve to 99%. We've recently seen this with United Airlines, an example of "success" recently touted by President Biden. This is sound math for progressive politicians. As vax rates have leveled off, the only way to move improve rates is to simply remove the unvaxed from the statistics. Problem solved. We do this with unemployment numbers when the jobless lose their benefits and their hope, give up, and simply vanish from the stats. If we decide not to count something, it no longer exists.
Why are the publicly owned Nursing homes held to a higher standard than say an Atiah owned home designed to fleece money or the entire estate from people/families and you never see their STAR ratings?
"McClure should have neve fired the private company. His desire to control; everything got in the way of sound judgement.Z"
I would agree but the private administrator had gone downhill and there was a very bad survey during its time there. It also appears to me that most of the changes made have been beneficial to the residents, so I think replacement was the right call.
I do not like the decline in census or the fact that the star rating has not budged. The rating decline happened under Brown.According to Stewart King, the state and feds are using old data. This is inexcusable bc it places the nursing home in a negative light to the public, and McClure himself should be in touch with the feds and state to make the data more current. This is no way to compete with other homes.
I also do not like the fawning over McClure by the current Administrator and DON, or the DON's reference to the Administrator and herself as the "dynamic duo," complete with superman outfit. They could be a tad more professional. If they want to help McClure, they can't be sycophants. They owe him honesty, even when he dislikes it. He can take it.
They also did not address an important question. They said they continued to accept new residents during Covid, but failed to state whether these new residents were tested first. I believe Stewart King said once that there had to be two negative tests and I would like to have seen that question specifically asked and answered.
Other than that, it was a good and exhaustive presentation. It appears they are doing many good things and mostly to benefit the residents
"As soon as they fire unvaccinated workers, the vaccination rate will improve to 99%. We've recently seen this with United Airlines,"
I am sick and tired of the tendency by the Lynch mob to make everything a national issue. Gracedale is very much a local matter with real lives, so knock off the horseshit.
"Why are the publicly owned Nursing homes held to a higher standard than say an Atiah owned home"
Atiyeh is assisted living and subject to different standards than a nursing home.
The people who are absolutely furious over losing their job after taking a stand against getting vaccinated are the same folks who cheered when Colin Kaepernick lost his job over taking a stand against police brutality.
You guys don’t understand the level of hypocrisy in your beliefs…
Bernie Not Related to above story BUT once again BOH star reporter breaks story days ahead of paid professionals!
Developer to donate building for Allentown police substation
Jack Reinhard Oct 11, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago
Hopefully you didn't plan on flying Southwest anytime soon!!!! Great idea to fire people that don't get the shot. Until the people that got the shot stick up for the thier fellow coworkers and do not come in . Get the national guard ready.
Money for frontline workers???? Guessing the COs aren't considered that...... Check the numbers lately?? No you won't publish that. Or this post.... But I try.
This post is about Gracedale, where people died. It is not about COs or your money grubbing. Your off topic (and insulting) comment demonstrates what you're all about - you. I pity the inmates under you.
@ 11:27, if you really think firing nurses and staff at a nursing home for refusing a new medical treatment is an apt comparison to a a Quarterback not being good enough to play in the NFL then you truly dont understand how stupid you sound.
This is a post about Gracedale, which was severely impacted by Covid. It is NOT a place for money-grubbing COs to vent or for anonymous rants about McClure. Have a little respect.
The elderly and those in need deserve excellent care. Unfortunately now in pa as in most states facilities are not being cited for understaffing. The thought I would imagine was covid and the strain on staffing. Although I appreciate when the reasonable man theory is applied by the department of health this has been going on too long. Facilities are running way below the already low 2.7 nursing hours and as long as they report their staffing problems they are not cited. I understand again the premise but our elderly and those in need require care. Even with a huge drop in census Gracedale does not meet minimums. So drop the census more so the residents there get the care they need. And Doh needs to start citing facilities for this. Ironic as they want to increase to over 4.0 ppd and facilities like Gracedale can't make 2.4 and 2.5. Why didn't they talk about that at the meeting. As the recruiting in the world doesn't change the fact the residents needs are not being met. The actual caregivers try but can only do so much. So if they truly care about what they're doing it's time to lower census more. And be honest about the situation there. Just because doh doesn't cute problems does not mean they are not there
It's disheartening how many people will comment on issues they like to complain about but hardly anyone ever comments on items about Gracedale. Perhaps no one cares?
Please stop calling yourself’s frontline workers it’s embarrassing.
Post a Comment