New efforts to improve the quality of life and care for residents of nursing homes will receive $6.5 million over two years through funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The Performance-based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) allows nursing homes to earn the performance incentive payments for dedicating resources to quality improvement and meeting goals related to care, resident quality of life, facility activities and other issues. The program provides up to five percent in additional operating payment funding to 74 nursing homes throughout the state.
The allocations announced in February are the 12th round of funding since the program started in 2006. Projects are focused on goals such as ensuring better antibiotic prescribing, improving functional mobility and preventing falls, enhancing nutrition and dining choices, addressing behavioral health needs, and improving sleep and continence management.
One example is at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria and other Monarch Healthcare facilities throughout Minnesota. A project called “Butterfly Bistro” is designed to improve residents’ moods and behaviors by offering more resident control over food choices and providing exceptional customer service and other enhancements to the mealtime experience. Expected outcomes include decreases in unexplained weight loss and higher food scores in resident and family satisfaction surveys.
“Nursing homes are responsible for providing safe, quality care to some of the most vulnerable Minnesotans,” said Human Services Commissioner Tony Lourey. “This funding helps improve residents’ health, well-being and overall quality of life.”
Below are the organizations receiving PIPP funding in this round, grouped by region.
Central/West Central
*Carris Health Care Center, Willmar, to improve assessment and management of continence.
*Central Todd County Care Center, Clarissa, to improve the dining experience by focusing on how meals are prepared, presented and delivered.
*Monarch Healthcare, to use food and the dining experience to improve residents’ moods and behaviors. Involved will be Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria, Meeker Manor in Litchfield, Parmly on the Lake in Chisago City and the Estates at Delano in Delano, the Estates at Greeley in Stillwater, the Estates at Rush City in Rush City and the Estates at Twin Rivers in Anoka.
*St. Francis Health Services Collaborative, to improve overall nutritional status and allow residents to achieve optimal health, functioning and well-being. Involved will be Browns Valley Care Center in Browns Valley, Little Falls Care Center in Little Falls, RenVilla Health Services in Renville and West Wind Village in Morris.
North/Northwest
*Aftenro, Duluth, to develop and implement CDC guidelines for prescribing antibiotics.
*Augustana Moose Lake Care Center, Moose Lake, as part of Care Choice
Collaborative, to address the growing number of patients with behavioral health needs.
*Henning Rehab and Health Care Center, Henning, to implement an open breakfast program that focuses on customer service and resident choice.
*Interfaith Care Center, Carlton, to decrease depressive symptoms in residents by improving quality and quantity of resident center activity programming.
*Moorhead Rehab and Healthcare Center, Moorhead, to develop a wound management program to reduce pressure sores.
St. Francis Health Services Collaborative, to improve overall nutritional status and allow residents to achieve optimal health, functioning and well-being. Involved will be Franciscan Health Center in Duluth, Guardian Angels Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hibbing, Heritage Manor in Chisholm, Littlefork Care Center in Littlefork, Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls and Viewcrest Health Center in Duluth.
South/Southwest
*Care Choice Collaborative, to address the growing number of patients with behavioral health needs. Involved will be collaborative members Thorne Crest Care Center in Albert Lea and Three Links Care Center in Northfield.
*Gundersen Harmony Care Center, Harmony, to improve residents’ functional mobility and reduce falls.
*Monarch Healthcare, to use food and the dining experience to improve resident mood and behavior. Involved will be Hillcrest Rehab Center in Mankato, Laurel’s Peak Rehab Center in Mankato, Mala Strana Rehab Center in New Prague, Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato and The Green Prairie Rehabilitation Center in Plainview.
*Ridgeview Le Sueur Nursing & Rehab Center, LeSueur, to create an evidence-based restorative sleep program.
*St. Francis Health Services Collaborative, to improve overall nutritional status and allow residents to achieve optimal health, functioning and well-being. Involved will be Trinity Care Center, Farmington, and Zumbrota Care Center, Zumbrota.
Twin Cities metro area
*Care Choice Collaborative, to address the growing number of patients with behavioral health needs. Involved will be collaborative members Auburn Manor in Chaska; Augustana Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins; Augustana Health Care Centers in Apple Valley, Hastings and Minneapolis; Catholic Eldercare on Main in Minneapolis; Crest View Lutheran in Minneapolis; Episcopal Home of Minnesota in St. Paul; Guardian Angels Care Center in Oakdale; Jones-Harrison Residence in Minneapolis; Lyngblomsten Care Center in St. Paul; Minnesota Masonic Home in Bloomington; Mount Olivet Careview in Minneapolis; Mount Olivet Home in Minneapolis; Ramsey County Care Center in Maplewood; Sholom Home East in St. Paul; Sholom Home West in St. Louis Park; and Walker Methodist Health Care Center in Minneapolis.
*Monarch Healthcare, to provide resources and education specific to substance abuse recovery and mental health diagnosis management using a person-centered approach. Involved will be the Estates at Chateau in Minneapolis, the Estates at Lynnhurst in St. Paul and the Estates at Fridley in Fridley and the Estates at Linden in Stillwater.
*Monarch Healthcare, to use food and the dining experience to improve resident mood and behavior. Involved will be the Estates at Bloomington, Excelsior and St. Louis Park.