Access to Nursing Home Care is Worsening
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent more than 14,000 nursing homes and other long-term care facilities nationwide that provide care to approximately five million people annually. Recently released data demonstrates worsening access to care for seniors and individuals with disabilities in need of long-term and post-acute care.
A press report that the AHCA/NCAL released Access to Nursing Home Care is Worsening has highlighted three areas that have challenged and impacted access to skilled care in nursing homes or post-acute care facilities. These areas are limiting admissions, downsizing, and closures. Despite a rapidly aging population and increased demand for long-term and post-acute care, the annual number of new nursing homes continues to decline, and very few facilities are opening. Another huge impact is being seen in the emergency departments and inpatient units with longer stays or boarding due to fewer resources. With a nursing home minimum staffing rule announced, how will this impact the declining number of facilities? Will we continue to see them close? The full report can be found here AHCA Access to Care Report August 2024
This article falls under Operational in the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) risk domains.
The business of health care is the delivery of care that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, and patient-centered within diverse populations. Operational risks relate to those risks resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, or systems that affect business operations. Examples include risks related to: adverse event management, credentialing and staffing, documentation, chain of command, lack of internal controls, supply chain and identification of existing opportunities within management oversight.