One of two possible death blows facing Gracedale was a proposal to increase the amount of nursing care that must be provided to each resident on a daily basis. Currently, there must be 2.7 hours of nursing care daily for each resident, but very serious consideration was being given to increasing it to 4.1 hours. It's very likely that Gracedale, which had to reduce its census to meet the current state standard, would be unable to meet this new minimum requirement. But that threat is over.
In his report to Northampton County Council last night, Executive Lamont McClure advised that the new state standard will be 2.87 hours of nursing care per resident per day (called the PPD). This is much better than he had hoped.
It appears Gracedale will be able to meet this new standard. Recent PPDs are as follows: 7/15 - 2.83; 7/16 - 2.6; 7/17 - 2.51; 7/18 - 2.84; 7/19 - 2.96; 7/20 - 3.0. "I am fairly that, by the time the new regulation kicks in, we will be able to meet it at the current census," he said. He expressed hope that the census (there is a waiting list) can increase. Currently, the home is using agency nurses to provide care, until more employees can be hired. McClure believes the home is now "on the right track."
13 comments:
Why was Waste Management at the county meeti8ng?
Three cheers for lower standards! If only Blutarski had this benefit. Zero point zero.
Never before has there been such a stark contrast as today’s news - Gracedale, the Northampton County Home, barely hanging on while Cedarbrook, the Lehigh County home, is expanding and renovating. This is simply the difference in leadership at the nursing home level and the county executive level. When was less staff ever “good news” for the residents? This is hardly a win for those at Gracedale.
"Why was Waste Management at the county meeti8ng?"
They were at Zrinski's committee meeting, not council.
"Three cheers for lower standards! "
In my world, an increase from 2.7 to 2.87 is actually a higher standard. Only in Lynch's world or that of Stacy Soldo, who are both praying for Gracedale to fail, is this bad news.
Looking for Steve Lynch
Steve Lynch: "What say you?"
I am afraid the pandemic and severely low staffing patterns everywhere resulted in a very low and unacceptable minimum standard of the state staffing ppd. Although a 4.1 would hardly been achieved by most homes a 2.87 results in a minimal change in daily staffing caregivers. We also need to remember this is a minimum state reg and the federal regs still state you must have staffing to meet the needs of the residents in order for them to achieve their highest level of functioning. 2.87 does not achieve this. The minimum number is probably more like 3.3 -3.4. this number not only would help meet residents needs but would help staff burnout and turnover. No one should be proud of a minimum 2.87. Frankly it's disgraceful but pressure due to present staffing has resulted in this outcome.
Shame on us all that we see the raise in this standard as "good news". Many house pets get more hours of care and attention.
I can’t even begin to imagine the joy that all the Gracedale residents must be feeling now knowing that the County Exec is confident he can get them that extra 10 minutes of care per day the state will require.
Ask McClure at present census how many actual caregivers In a 24 hour period does this increase actually result in ......
37 vacant positions at the juvenile justice center. LVL had an editorial about it today. McClure is doing a good job there also lol.
The juvenile Justice center is run by the courts. Rather than go after McClure….ask Jermaine Greene what he’s doing about it. Pay isn’t the only issue. The old boys network in management is the issue. They treat workers like crap. Especially women.
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