York County OKs study to save costs at nursing home

Carl Lindquist

Oct. 21, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The budget-crunching cost of running York County's nursing home prompted the county commissioners on Wednesday to hire a consulting firm to study its operations and come up with money-saving solutions.

Early figures show that Pleasant Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is on pace to cost taxpayers a projected $5 million this year, said Chuck Noll, county administrator/chief clerk. That would be more than four times the $1.2 million budgeted for the year.

The county commissioners are hoping to cut down on the cost next year but are divided in their approach.

President Commissioner Steve Chronister and Commissioner Chris Reilly on Wednesday agreed to spend up to $16,000 to bring in a consultant to study the home's operations. Premier Healthcare Resources from King of Prussia, Pa., was hired to perform the study.

The company will review nursing home staffing, scheduling, the use of employees from staffing agencies, the patient admissions process and other operational elements of the home.

Dissent: Commissioner Doug Hoke argued there was no need for the study since the administration is already well aware of the problems at the home.

He instead prefers to use in-house staff to solve those problems and, if necessary, bring in help from local organizations.

"I don't know about this study," he said, questioning whether it will provide any new information.

Despite their disagreement on the approach, all three commissioners said something must be done to

bring down the taxpayer cost of running the home.

"I find it totally unacceptable," Reilly said.

Premier Healthcare is expected to return the results of its study within a month, Reilly said. That's enough time for the county to factor in at least some of the resulting cost-saving measures into the 2010 budget, which is under development.

History: Past administrations for years have unsuccessfully tried to wean the nursing home off taxpayer dollars.

The current administration, facing tough financial times, is continuing the efforts. It cut 19 jobs earlier this year based on a recommendation from a contractor brought in to manage the nursing home's laundry and housekeeping operations.

One of the key goals of the study approved Wednesday is to reduce the amount of outside help used in the nursing home because the cost is extraordinary, commissioners said. The nursing home is projected to spend $3.7 million on outside help this year, Reilly said.

The outside help is needed because of vacant positions at the nursing home. Finding employees to work in the nursing home has been difficult despite high local unemployment rates.

As of Wednesday, there were 75 vacant jobs in the home, according to figures provided by the county's human resources department. There are a total of 598 authorized positions.

The specialized nature of some of the jobs available is part of the reason for the vacancies, commissioners said. About half the openings were for certified nursing assistants.

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