The Good, The Bad & The Unknown

I thought I would share some updates with my Blog readers to keep you posted on how things are going. To make it easier and more organized, I'll separate my comments into three categories:

The good, the bad and the unknown!

Let's start with the good stuff because everyone prefers good news..........................

• We hit 90% occupancy for the first time in quite a while at Valley Manor. You may recall that we initiated an "occupancy enhancement program" this year and it seems to be working, as occupancy has increased from 85% to 90%. We have now set our sights on phase 2 of our program which we hope will take us to 92% occupancy.


• We are running at 97% occupancy at Kirkhaven. Additionally, the "Medicare Maximization" program we initiated has increased our average Medicare rate 6.4% and our Medicare utilization 4%. The combination of these 2 items plus an increase in our Medicare Part B (therapy services provided to our long-term residents) is estimated to bring an additional $275,000 in revenue for 2009.


• We have raised $35,000 towards the Valley Manor courtyard renovation project and have selected the proposal of choice from the 3 bids received. Total cost is expected to be around $50,000 so we will continue our fund-raising campaign while hopefully implementing at least phase 1 of the project early this summer.
• We have had no further reported cases of Legionella at Kirkhaven other than the one resident who is now back at Kirkhaven and doing fine. We are awaiting the test results of the water samples taken from various sources in hopes that it will help us identify where the problem was. After taking the test samples, we conducted a complete "heat & flush" of the water system, which eliminates any bacteria that may have developed within the system.
• We recently compiled the results of our "Evaluate your Supervisor" surveys and once again our leadership at both Kirkhaven and Valley Manor were scored outstanding by their staff. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 representing the best score), Valley Manor leadership averaged a 4.5 and Kirkhaven leadership averaged a 4.0. Staff evaluate and rate their supervisor on 12 distinct leadership qualities. We use this program to ascertain leadership training needs and to ensure that we are providing quality support and leadership to our staff. I am very pleased with these results and the fact that our leadership has the courtesy and courage to offer their staff this opportunity to provide direct feedback.


• The NHL Stanley Cup final round begins and the match up is a great rematch between last years finalists. My money is on the new kids and the Pittsburgh Penguins over the defending Cup champion Detroit Redwings in 6 games. It's time for a new champion!

The bad news fortunately is light.....................

• We still haven't received our 2009 Medicaid rates, so we continue to get paid at the old 2008 rate. This is starting to create a cash flow issue. The passed State budget established the broad methodology of the 2009 Medicaid rates, but apparently calculating and issuing them is going to take a while. In the interim, the State is more than happy to be paying us the lower 2008 rate.


• We found it necessary to make a change in our assigned primary care physician at Kirkhaven. You may recall that after 25 years with the same physician group, due to retirement we needed to make a change last October. We are now with the Rochester General Hospital Physician's Group and very pleased with the medical administration and medical director services they are providing. However, the primary care physician they assigned to Kirkhaven did not work out and thus they have worked collaboratively with us to assign a new primary care physician effective June 1.


• First my beloved Buffalo Sabres didn't make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs, then my newly adopted playoff favorite Washington Capitals get bounced out by the Penguins. So I decide to root for the Chicago Blackhawks and they lose out to the Redwings. Maybe I should start watching the NBA playoffs!

Now for the unknown...................

• Can we maintain our momentum and occupancy at Valley Manor? We know we have some planned move-outs coming up soon, but we are also entering the prime season for move-ins. 90 % occupancy is good, but 92% and higher is better!


• The initial evaluation and projections suggest that the 2009 Medicaid rate methodology will be good for us once we finally get it. How good or if so is still an unknown risk until the actual rates are issued.


• Will the economy make a dramatic comeback in the second half of 2009? We have begun to see signs of improvement in the first half, but the fall was so great that we need more than signs of improvement to right our investment portfolios and strengthen the economic engine of our country.


• Will our Kirkhaven Replacement Project, which has been put on hold until the economic outlook is more certain, resume momentum. We haven't completely stopped planning for this project, but where we go from here and when is still a big unknown.


• Who will win the 2009 Stanley Cup and will the Buffalo Sabres do anything to ensure they make the playoffs next year? What will I do with all my time once hockey season is over?

I'm off to Saratoga, New York to attend our State Association's annual Spring Training Institute and Exhibition. Great opportunity to stay abreast of current issues and trends in the field, as well as to network with peers across the State.

Thanks for visiting my Blog and see you next time!