Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nursing Home Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
LaSalle County nursing home reports higher admissions, reduced falls and staffing plans
Summary
At a LaSalle County nursing home meeting, staff reported April census and admissions numbers, a drop in resident falls, new training for CNAs on manual blood pressures, and ongoing efforts to recruit RNs including a proposed PRN pay rate.
LaSalle County nursing home staff reported this month that the facility’s census, admissions and training efforts are showing progress while staffing shortages remain a cost driver.
In a report to the nursing home committee, staff said the current census is 61 residents, with seven new admissions in April, six discharges and three projected admits for the month. The admissions coordinator has four applications awaiting hospital review. Staff also said the facility provided two respite stays in April, one of which converted to custodial placement.
The report noted a decline in resident falls: nine falls in April with two minor injuries, compared with a historical average the presenter described as 15 to 20 falls per month. The rehab/restorative team credited consistent use of gait belts and new programming for the reduction.
Staff described training changes aimed at clinical accuracy. Several CNAs have requested renewed training in manual blood-pressure measurement; staff said they would reintroduce manual cuff technique paired with double stethoscope instruction so nurses and CNAs can confirm readings together. “I truly feel that a manual one is gonna be just that. It's gonna be the most precise,” a staff member said during the meeting.
Recruitment and staffing remained the focal point of discussion. The committee heard that the facility recently hired a full-time afternoon certified nursing assistant and an LPN who later resigned for personal reasons. Staff reported active outreach to Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) and said IVCC supplies a large share of local CNAs. One staff speaker estimated that “at least 90% of the CNAs in LaSalle County are trained through IVCC.”
To reduce reliance on expensive agency nurses, staff described a proposal to expand use of PRN registered nurses at a proposed rate of $40.80 per hour. The presenter said contractors currently cover four 12-hour shifts and that converting to PRN RNs working four 8-hour shifts would lower costs and fill open slots until full‑time RNs can be recruited. The pay-rate change was described as pending approval through the salary process and then the board.
Other operational details reported to the committee included a new utility vehicle delivery and bus repairs; the bus was reported to seat six passengers plus two wheelchair positions. Staff reiterated that emergency services response times vary by location; the presenter estimated a minimum of five to seven minutes depending on which service responds.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the PRN pay proposal at the meeting; staff said the change must move through the salary committee and return to the board for approval.
