Complete Story
05/01/2019
Ohio Non-Profit 5-Star Ratings Reflect Current Workforce Crisis
Ohio non-profit skilled nursing facility 5-star ratings have taken a dip in recent weeks, a trend that mirrors current workforce challenges. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made changes to the Health Inspection, Quality and Staffing components of the Five-Star rating system this April, leading to an immediate decrease in stars for 37% of facilities around the country. Of particular relevance to Ohio is a requirement by CMS to immediately downgrade a SNF to a 1-star rating if that SNF has 4 days in a quarter without an RN present.
From March to April of 2019, approximately 13% of Ohio SNFs were downgraded to a 1-star rating due to RN coverage issues; this compares to 11% nationally. The percentage of non-profit SNF’s dropping to a 1-star rating (9.34%) was less than this overall Ohio percentage of 13% but still significantly greater than the national not-profit average (4.71%). Ohio came in at half the national average when it came to non-profit SNFs downgraded to a 1-star rating due to missed deadlines and errors. This shows that despite these facilities’ best efforts to provide quality care and adhere to federal guidelines, Ohio continues to be shackled by its workforce issues
These statistics serve as further proof of a fact that providers see every day: the aging services workforce is vastly in need of a boost to keep up with the rapidly growing number of older adults in need of care. Continued effort on these fronts is needed by LeadingAge Ohio and providers alike.
LeadingAge Ohio is continuing to monitor PBJ data and connect with providers whose data show days with no RN staffing. We will also continue to work with members to explore and create workforce initiatives that will bring both positive recruitment and retention results. All executives should have the June 4 Leadership Summit on their calendars to learn more about initiatives underway!