03/28/2024

Ohio Nursing Home Task Force Reconvenes; Plans to Deploy Technical Assistance, Develop Career Ladders

This week, the Governor’s Nursing Home Quality & Accountability Task Force reconvened for the first time since 2023, marking one year since the first meetings of the Task Force held in March of last year. Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy reported on progress made by the administration on Task Force-identified priorities, including the launch of the Nursing Home Quality Navigator earlier this year and increased funding and restructuring of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman. 

Initiatives on the near-horizon include launching a technical assistance program to support targeted nursing homes, and improving the survey process. Notably, Ohio has been selected for two CMS pilots: one which use AI to error-correct survey data, and another which allows fewer days and surveyors for select facilities’ annual surveys. Finally, ODA reported that they have formed a new workforce working group which has decided to focus efforts on STNA recruitment and stabilization of the Director of Nursing role. 

All of the efforts build directly off of the Recommendations Report of the Nursing Home Quality & Accountability Task Force published last spring. Questions regarding the Task Force may be directed to Susan Wallace at swallace@leadingageohio.org.