Monica, a facility representative, told the Stephenson County Nursing Center oversight committee that the center’s census was 54 residents, including four receiving skilled care, and that the facility had 13 new admissions in October.

Monica said Janae began as the facility’s administrator on Oct. 27 but could not attend the meeting; Monica presented the operations update in her place. "She started on October 27. She wasn't able to come tonight, so I'm here," Monica said.

The report covered staffing, operations and capital work. Monica said agency nursing usage had decreased as the facility adjusted staffing and that the dementia unit was a focus for recruitment and staffing stability. "It's been a lot of change," Monica said, adding that the transition had been "a good chaotic." Management reported multiple new hires for certified nursing assistants and for the diabetic department; RN and CNA positions have been advertised on the Serenity Estates Facebook page.

Monica said the facility continued to wait for the union to respond about a contract. A committee member later noted that management had offered sizable pay increases to union members but that the union had not immediately accepted the offers.

On facility improvements, Monica said remodeling of the North End was nearly complete and crews had moved on to work in Birchwood and Oakwood units. She also said the center had fully integrated MacRx as its pharmacy effective Monday and had hosted an in-building IV drip program twice to provide IV fluids for higher-acuity patients to help prevent wound complications, weight loss and urinary infections.

Staff said they were preparing the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing report and had adopted a software tool called Simple PBJ to assist with that submission; Monica said the PBJ report would be submitted next week.

Procedural business before and after the report was routine. The committee approved the meeting agenda, approved minutes from the Oct. 9 meeting and approved claims totaling $132,033.32 by voice vote; each motion was recorded as carried. The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: staff will submit the PBJ staffing report next week and Janae, the new administrator, is expected to participate in future meetings once available.