Citizens Care board reviews staffing, census and business-operations vacancy

The Citizens Care Citizens Nursing Home board met May 28 and reviewed staffing, census and financial updates and discussed a vacant business-operations post. Administrator Ed Walter compiled and submitted the minutes and said the meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. and adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Director of Nursing Cassie Evering reported that seven GNA students are completing their course, with finals next week and graduation scheduled for June 4; the students will be distributed across three shifts for orientation. She said the next in-house GNA course is planned to begin in mid-September and that Harford Community College is hosting a meeting about the GNA/nurse clinical program that completes clinicals on site. Cassie also said the nursing department has begun clinical review meetings with Dr. Basu.

Administrator Ed Walter reported an average daily census of 126 for April, with 21 admissions, 13 discharges and two deaths. He said the facility is increasing outreach with UMUC Case Management leadership to review hospital transfers and is concentrating on promoting long-term care beds on the first and second floors to help stabilize census. Walter also reported nine new hires and six departures in April and a facility turnover rate of 2.97%.

The financial report, presented by Keith Streett, listed April occupancy at 76.7% and a payer mix of approximately 9.6% private pay, 76.9% Medicaid and 13.5% Medicare/managed care. The minutes state the facility posted a net gain for the month; revenue trailed the budget because the census did not meet projections while expenses were below budget in staffing, nursing and several other departments. The minutes note ongoing contractor expenses for nursing and administrative collections/billing.

Under old business, the board recorded that the Bay Lane elevator project began May 26 with an estimated timeline of eight to 12 weeks. On Medical Assistance revalidation, the facility application was approved while the therapy application was returned and is pending resubmission; the minutes state there is no current impact on facility operations. The minutes record five losses in April and one incident; both were investigated and resolved.

Under new business the board noted that the Director of Business Operations position is vacant following the resignation of Keith Streett and that the board is working with a candidate for hiring and onboarding. The topic of tuition reimbursement plans was raised and tabled for further information at a future meeting.

The board approved the minutes of the April 23 meeting (the minutes do not record mover/second or vote tallies). The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.