Volume XXXI, Number 3
March 2016

Senate Panel Urged to Address Workforce Crisis

Staffing is at a crisis level in Texas long term care facilities, THCA President and CEO Kevin Warren told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in his testimony on February 18.

“This is not an issue that is on the horizon for long term care; it is a crisis right here, right now,” Warren said. “As Texas’ aging population continues to rise, the number of people leaving the long term care profession and those choosing not to enter it is also rising. That is a perfect storm we need to vigorously work to address.”

The hearing considered the committee’s charge to examine Healthy Aging and recommend ways to improve quality and oversight in long term care settings. The committee will report their findings before the next Legislative Session convenes in January.

Warren noted that the annual turnover rate in Texas nursing homes is one of the highest in the country. Nearly 50 percent of Registered Nurses (RNs) identified as working in a nursing home or extended care facility in 2009, were no longer working in either environment as of 2014, according to the state’s Health and Human Services Commission Nurse Data from January, 2016. Broken down by nursing certification, turnover rate in Texas nursing homes is as follows:

  • 94% Registered Nurses (RN)
  • 86% Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)
  • 104% Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)

Warren also asserted that the current facility survey program favors a punitive approach over a process that actually aides the provider in improving care strategies.

“When long time owners of nursing homes leave the business due to the strains of the survey process and underfunding, it is clear that something is not working,” he said.

Warren made three recommendations for the committee to consider:

  1. Assess the effectiveness and adequacy of current educational curriculums and training programs in technical schools and universities specifically designed to develop and expand the long-term care workforce.
  1. Request the council established by SB914 to examine best practices and protocols for consistency in the survey and IDR process to:
  • Review of CMS QIS survey process implemented in other states; and
  • identify best practices that promote quality improvement principles found in the regulatory process for other healthcare settings
  1. Support a value-based incentive program that funds healthcare quality add-on payments.

President’s Report

___________________________

 Legislative Update

  • Senate Panel Urged to Address Workforce Crisis
___________________________

 Commitment to Care

If you have any questions about the THCA Commitment to Care Initiative or would like to share your facilities successes please contact Gloria Bean-Williams by email or call (512) 458-1257.

___________________________

State / THCA News

___________________________

National / AHCA News

___________________________

Announcements & Recognition

2016 THCA Membership Directory and Resource Guide COMING SOON!

Hard copies scheduled to be mailed out later this month, with a digital copy to be posted on our website mid-April!

 Visit, Like and Follow THCA….

Are you familiar with THCA’s Website, Facebook Page & Twitter Account? We utilize these portals to provide information & tools for long term care providers / caregivers, family members, LTC advocates, and to share the wonderful events, celebrations, etc. that take place in Texas Nursing, Rehabilitation & Assisted Living facilities!

Visit our Website, “Like” our Facebook page and “Follow” us on Twitter! And please encourage your staff to as well!

THCA Web Site 

facebookFind us on Facebook

twitterFollow us on Twitter

___________________________

THCAPAC

?’s About THCAPAC…Contact Us

Ron Payne,
THCAPAC Co-Chair

Mark McKenzie,
THCAPAC Co-Chair

Gina Muniz,
THCAPAC Liaison

Scot Kibbe,
THCAPAC Liaison

___________________________

Region News

___________________________

Education

___________________________

Calendar