Valley View Center reports occupancy, financials and 15 minor deficiencies in state recertification survey

Lawrence LeDuc, commissioner of Valley View Center, presented monthly financial and census data and updated the committee on the New York State Department of Health recertification results.

LeDuc said year-to-date revenues are $19,814,160 and listed expense categories including personal services, contractual expenses and employee benefits; total year-to-date expenses shown in the packet were $26,732,770. He said July occupancy ended at 61.55% with a year-to-date average just under 62% and reported a current daily census of roughly 61.39 residents.

On inspection results, LeDuc said the facility received 15 deficiencies in the recertification survey, characterized as minor scope and severity with no harm to residents. He said the facility submitted a plan of correction to the New York State Department of Health and that the department had approved the plan; the facility must correct cited items within 60 days of the survey exit (the commissioner reported a target correction date of September 22).

LeDuc also discussed operational steps to strengthen staffing: three LPNs are scheduled to start on Sept. 2, including one full-time LPN who will participate in a new-graduate reimbursement program in exchange for a two-year commitment, and additional per-diem and new BOCES-graduate hires are expected in September. He noted that the inspection component of the CMS five-star rating carries substantial weight and that inspection findings will reduce the facility’s overall rating unless offset by improvements in staffing and quality measures.

Committee members asked for copies of the survey report and the plan of correction; LeDuc agreed to email the documents and to provide waiting-list numbers on request. Several committee members expressed concern about survey results and asked for follow-up at a subsequent meeting.