Board counters negative press

McCOOK, Neb. -- Helping the image of Hillcrest Nursing Home was discussed by Hillcrest Board of Trustees Tuesday.

At their regular meeting, the board addressed recent talk about the facility and dismissed rumors that it would close. Administrator Colina Nappa told the board that a North Platte television station recently interviewed Hillcrest staff and residents about the possibility of it closing.

The board acknowledged that much of the talk stemmed from a March 2 news article on the Red Willow County Commissioners meeting, where Hillcrest administrator Colina Nappa and trustee members told the commissioners that the facility was having financial difficulty covering overhead costs, as well as loan, bond and interest payments, due to outstanding payments due to the facility.

The public interest in Hillcrest is justified, said Vesta Dack, a county commissioner who attends Hillcrest board of trustee meetings.

"In this business you're going to have complaints," she said. "If I had my mother in here, I'd be scrutinizing everything too." Dack adding that she's also heard good things about the facility from the public.

Board member Randy Dean said the public can jump on one comment and "they don't see all the great things going on in here." He added that a tax levy for the nursing home was approved by voters in 1993 but that no money was ever collected.

Another board member, Jim Howard, countered the idea of Hillcrest closing, saying the location of the facility was too important for many in the area.

Nappa said a FAQ has been included on the nursing home's website, adding that she "loves that consumers are informed" but doesn't like how it takes three to five years to work off a negative rating given to the facility.

She referenced a level "G" deficiency rating, defined as a deficiency with actual harm, that the facility received three years ago, that is still on the record although a deficiency of that nature hasn't occurred since.

Nappa also acknowledge there are areas that still have to be addressed, such as outstanding bills. One resident has recently been turned over to protective services due to non-payment by a family member. "It's getting done, but it's a slow process," she said, reminding that board that if Hillcrest can be fined and penalized if it evicts someone without having a safe place for the person to go.

In the other business, the board discussed:

* A total of $85,226.73, was written in checks for March, including $31,288.75 as a bond payment.

* the facility has hired five new employees, four in nursing and one in maintenance

* There are 87 residents as of Tuesday; the facility can have up to 100. Of that number, six are in skilled nursing, 35 are private pay, 41 are state paid and three are under the Veteran's Administration. There were seven admissions in March and seven discharges. In February, there were 11 admissions and 13 discharges.

* Upon advice from the board, Nappa has hired an assistant, Elizabeth George, who she called an "administrator-in-training." Under Nappa, she will undergo training to become a nursing home administrator and become licensed, after training and education has been verified by the state.

* a new certified dietary manager has been hired for the kitchen, Deb Moorhous.

* Nappa and Hillcrest Foundation director, Maggie Repass, are taking certified nurses aide classes.

* Nappa told the board that the facility cannot accept individuals who are a "level 2" on the PASRR (Pre-admission screening and resident review) screening process. The PASRR is a federally mandated screening for individuals with serious mental illness and/or mentally retarded/developmentally disability diagnosis. The screening ensures proper placement of the individuals so their needs can be met. Nappa said the facility had to recently turn down an admission screened at a level 2, as that level requires care longer than 120 days and Hillcrest, by regulation, cannot accept that level. Hillcrest can accept those screened at level 1, she said, where some psychiatric medication is needed for an associated illness, such as Alzheimers.