Hillcrest reports ESBL cases, a $254,000 PBJ fine and staffing shortfalls

Kevin Powell, presenting facility operations, told the Henry County Health & Social Services Committee that multiple residents are isolated with ESBL but that “no outbreak [is] present.” Staff refreshed infection-control protocols and isolation procedures after those cases were identified.

Powell reported several operational compliance items: impact revalidation for Medicaid funding acceptance is complete, bed assessments and census reports to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services (HFS) are back on track, and the Long Term Care questionnaire for 2025 is underway to avoid penalties. He said staff received refresher training on Office of Inspector General compliance checks.

On quality measures Powell noted the home’s overall Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services star rating is four stars while the staffing rating is two stars, a factor that affects the overall rating. He also said there have been five falls with major injury in recent months, including one since the last committee meeting; a fall-prevention in-service was conducted for all staff.

Powell disclosed an unresolved Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing reporting issue from May of last year that resulted in a $254,000 fine; he described that amount as the result of a reporting error, not a staffing shortage. The committee did not vote on this item during the public portion of the meeting.

Next steps included continuing compliance tasks and following up on the PBJ matter; Powell also said the facility is pursuing a transition of traditional Medicaid residents to managed care organizations to increase reimbursement rates.