RIDGEWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER

Frances Petrick RN, NHA

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

Ridgewood Care Center is a 210-bed skilled nursing facility licensed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to participate in the Medicaid and Medicare Programs. The purpose of Ridgewood Care Center is to provide skilled care to Racine County residents without regard to race, creed, national origin, sex, age, financial status or diagnosis. Residents who are court-ordered, protectively placed, have a primary diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, are chronically mentally ill, or who have developmental disabilities are admitted on a priority basis. Other residents are admitted dependent subject to bed availability.
 

ACHIEVEMENT OF PERFORMANCE GOALS

One of our 2001 objectives was to maintain an average daily census of 205, which represents a 98% occupancy rate. Our Year-to-date average daily census is 207.4.

Another 2001 objective was to maintain a high level of quality care standards as evidenced by a successful re-licensing survey. We achieved that goal when we received a perfect, deficiency-free relicensing survey.

A third goal for this year was to implement a clinical software program, creating an electronic medical record. This goal has been achieved and department notes, face sheet, diagnosis list, MDS, care plans and nurses' notes have been converted into the electronic format.

A fourth goal was to shorten the time it takes to check references and perform criminal background checks on prospective employees, so that not more than one week lapses before a job offer can be extended. While we have not completely achieved this goal, we have decreased the time between the interview and the job offer to two weeks.

An objective for this year was to increase the average Medicare patient days by 9 % . We exceeded this goal, increasing our Medicare census by 9.4% from 1999-2000, thereby increasing revenues by 22.6%.

2002 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

•  Reduce bad debt to 5% of accounts receivable.
   
•  Convert hardcopy forms to electronic format to reduce paper consumption and expense.
   
•  Secure a medical supply vendor who can reduce supply expense and provide us with an inventory control system.
   
•  Reduce our part time nurse aide turnover from 67% to 50% or less in order to reduce OT expense.
   
•  When enacted by the County Board, begin implementation of Board directives relative to the Keefe report.
   
•  Reorganize the business office to enhance efficiency and performance and to improve collections, thereby reducing accounts receivable and bad debt.
   
•  Maintain an average daily census of 205, 15% of whom are Medicare patients.

COUNTY BOARD DIRECTIVE

The 4 CNA positions for reduction of overtime will be sunsetted at the end of one year. It is requested the County Executive not include these position in next year's budget unless they produce the overtime reduction promised in the amendment. A report to the Finance Committee and Personal Committee about the effectiveness of the added positions over using overtime by June 30, 2002.