East Moline, Illinois
Government, division of Rock Island County
245-bed skilled nursing facility
Fixed price, heavily regulated environment
Affiliations: None

Background

Aging facility had been replaced on bed-for-bed basis; new facility opened 2009. Operating performance deteriorating. Inability to respond to regulatory challenges. Management systems in need of revamping. Instability in nursing management. County Board concerned about long-term financial viability of the home given the addition of debt service payments to operating budget.

Results under MPA leadership

• Medicare census up by 25%
• Financial solvency established
• Employee turnover reduced
  

Key Moves

• Revamped financial systems and financial reporting
• Developed teamwork and communication
• Instituted consistent nursing management and leadership
• Focused marketing program on Medicare rehabilitation
• Modernized service delivery on Alzheimer’s unit; expanded activities programming to an eight hours per day, 365 days per year program
• Achieved economy of scale via shared financial reporting, saving 40 percent annually
  

Leadership Strategy

• Refocused governance
• Increased management accountability in reporting to governing body
• Improved communication between administration and County Committees
• Strengthened organizational communication between administration, department managers and direct line staff
• Implemented consistent enforcement of policies and procedures