Bacon's Rebellion

Medical Facility State Inspector Shortfalls An Urgent Matter for the Governor and General Assembly

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sherlockj
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9 responses to “Medical Facility State Inspector Shortfalls An Urgent Matter for the Governor and General Assembly”

  1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    There is some help pending in the budget bill introduced by Governor Northam:

    3 new positions to supplement the state hospital state licensure program

    1 position for the Office of Licensure and Certification

    http://publicreports.dpb.virginia.gov/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=BDoc2022_Agency&iptAgency=601&rdAgReset=True

    1. CJBova Avatar
      CJBova

      Embarrassing response to the need! In Jim Sherlock’s November 2020 post, he cited: “OLC’s current authorized staffing is 127 positions, with current actual
      staffing being 105 (95 FTEs and 10 wage positions) and current vacancies
      being 22 (20 FTEs and 2 wage positions).”

      1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
        Dick Hall-Sizemore

        The key is keeping down the vacancy rate. In November 2020, the FTE vacancy rate was about 17 percent, which is too high. I suspect it was that high due to a hiring freeze imposed because of the budget uncertainties related to COVID. Before passing judgment, it would be good to know the current vacancy rate. Currently, VDH is advertising for 4 positions in OLC–2 supervisors, 1 inspector, and 1 office services specialist.

        1. James C. Sherlock Avatar
          James C. Sherlock

          Dick, if the vacancy rate was zero, OLC would not have nearly enough inspectors to fulfill its statutory inspection requirements. I documented that in my previous post linked in the article. This is a very longstanding problem. The facility payments for inspections that contribute to OLC budget have not changed in 40 years.

      2. James C. Sherlock Avatar
        James C. Sherlock

        Carol, Ms. Beazley’s response is rich in important information. I thought it too rich to provide as a quotation in the text. Read the entire response.

        1. CJBova Avatar
          CJBova

          Everyone should read it. It is close to a miracle that they accomplished as much as they did in 2021.

          “In the last year, OLC has not received additional state funding or additional FTEs for the purpose of conducting federal surveys or state inspections; however, OLC did receive $1.5 million in CARES Act funding. OLC used this entire
          allotment to hire contract surveyors to assist with nursing home recertification
          surveys primarily. This has increased OLC’s capability to perform federal
          certification surveys, but not state licensure inspections. OLC also notes that CARES Act funding is a time-limited source of funding, so OLC anticipates its capability to recede to pre-pandemic levels once that funding lapses.”

          @Dick Hall-Sizemore:
          Adding funding for one position without addressing the long-standing budget short-changing that prevents filling vacancies at competitive salaries is scandalous.

          How do you answer Jim’s statement that “The shortfalls were based upon laws and budgets that purposely reduced the authorized staff significantly below that sufficient to meet its statutory inspection requirements.”?

    2. James C. Sherlock Avatar
      James C. Sherlock

      One.

  2. CJBova Avatar
    CJBova

    Thank you for continuing to keep the OLC issues in the public eye and acknowledging the efforts of Ms. Beazley. Here’s hoping the new Commonwealth Transformation Officer becomes aware of the OLC situation and addresses it.

  3. vicnicholls Avatar
    vicnicholls

    Have you talked to Karen Greenhalgh, the 85th district I believe?

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