Along with the havoc that COVID-19 inflicted, many nursing homes in New York City are facing closure due to diminished staff and empty beds. In one facility where more than 100 residents succumbed to the Coronavirus, there are now not enough residents to fill the rooms, and 56 staff members have been laid off.
Spokespersons from several different facilities believe that a large part of the reason for the decline in resident census is related to the reduction in elective surgeries, resulting in fewer persons going to nursing homes for recovery.
About 6,700 residents in New York nursing homes and adult care facilities have died during the pandemic, some of them related to the governor’s controversial mandate requiring nursing facilities to admit persons with coronavirus whose conditions had been stabilized. That mandate has been rescinded.
The executive director of the Long-Term Care Community Coalition indicated that he believes people are afraid due to the number of deaths from COVID-19. He said, “I would be particularly reluctant, even more so than normally, to go to a nursing home.”
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Insufficient staff to provide care for residents, concerns of potential residents and their families regarding a facility’s ability to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a drop in the number of residents receiving elective surgeries may result in declining census and ultimately cause nursing homes to close.
Discussion Points
- Review policies and procedures for ensuring sufficient numbers of staff and the continuing effectiveness of the facility’s Infection and Prevention Control Program. Review policies for communication with residents’ families so they are kept informed of the status of their loved ones.
- Train staff to remain diligent in following CMS and CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Provide training on excellent customer service to ensure that residents receive quality care and that families are kept informed of the status of their loved ones.
- Periodically audit to ensure that a sufficient number of staff are scheduled to provide care for residents, and that communication with families is maintained.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC view: RECRUITING NEW EMPLOYEES – PAVING THE ROAD TO OBTAINING COMPETENT STAFF.
