Nursing facility paperless by 2014

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Pens and papers will be eased out, as Hillcrest Nursing Home begins to phase in electronic charting.

Electronic charting has been mandated by the government to be in place at nursing homes by 2014.

When completely implemented, about 90 percent of charting will be done electronically, said Colinda Nappa, Hillcrest administrator.

Nappa told the Board of Trustees at the regular meeting Tuesday that the majority of software needed for electronic charting has been purchased. Training staff members who are unfamiliar with computers will being soon, with "Phase I" of electronic charting beginning March 2013.

In response to a question by Trustee Jim Hall, Nappa said Greg Fyn, who oversees the computer system at Hillcrest, has been contacting pharmacies to make sure their computers are compatible.

Nappa also told the board that new outlets in resident rooms that were remodeled are not hospital-rated, according to the Fire Marshall. The contractor for the project, Prohaska and Associates, maintain that they are, "and that leaves us in the middle," Nappa said.

Board Trustee Randy Dean suggested that the last payment due to Prohaska, at $3,000, not be paid until the issue is resolved, which Nappa agreed to do.

In other business, the board approved the bid from Esslinger's of McCook, the lowest of three bids at below $4,000, to repair damage on siding from the August 2011 hail storm.

Other bids came from Weathercraft and ABC Seamless.

The board approved the bid, contingent that the siding be completely replaced and not just repaired.

Once the repairs are certified to be completed, the insurance company will pay Hillcrest the rest of the payment they owe, Nappa said.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the board approved Jeannie Steinbrick of Holdrege as the new "agent of record" for employee insurance.

The current insurance carrier, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, will not change, Nappa clarified and benefits will remain the same for now.

The new agent may be able to negotiate for better prices and rates, she added.

In her administrator report, Nappa told the board that Hillcrest staff met twice last week with two trustees, to discuss concerns, such as insurance.

In the census report, Nappa said there are 90 Hillcrest residents as of Tuesday. Of that, 17 are Medicare and the rest are state assisted or private pay.

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