News Release: State of Quality LTCSeries

Second in long term care series shows increased staffing, quality improvement programs are making the difference

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Emphasizing the increased number of direct caregivers working to provide quality care and the milestones in resident and staff satisfaction, Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today issued the second installment of their informational State of Long Term Care series in advance of the opening of the 2011 legislative session next week.

“Florida’s nursing homes continue to make steady improvements to quality care. That speaks directly to the strong state of our profession and our commitment to meeting residents’ needs every day,” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of FHCA, the state’s first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the frail elders they serve. “The Legislature, however, must ensure stable, adequate nursing home funding so that, as Florida’s Baby Boomers continue to age, they can expect to receive the same level of quality long term care services when the need arises.”

The State of Quality Fact Sheet highlights the measureable improvement that has occurred in nursing homes in 16 of 26 quality indicators nationwide between 2000 and 2009. Additionally, since the introduction of Florida’s increased nurse staffing levels and other quality standards in 2001, average deficiencies per facility have decreased and measures of resident care outcomes have also improved. Those mandated increased staffing standards have resulted in the creation of over 11,000 new Certified Nursing Assistant and 700 new nursing positions since 2001.

Research has also shown that family and resident satisfaction has steadily improved as a result of facilities utilizing quality improvement programs more broadly, resulting in improved quality of life for residents. The adoption of Culture Change (also known as person-centered care) in facilities is also leading to higher resident and staff satisfaction and better workforce performance, both of which can lead to quality care improvements.

The week-long State of Long Term Care series will bring awareness to Florida’s long term care demographics, Medicaid reimbursement challenges, the economic impact of the profession and the steady improvements that have been made in quality care.

For more information, follow the series at:
• www.fhca.org
• www.facebook.com/FloridaHealthCareAssociation
• www.twitter.com/FHCA
• www.fhcacapitolconnection.blogspot.com

ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation which serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehab, assisted living and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development and financial stability of its members. As Florida's first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population.

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