LaSalle County nursing home reports higher occupancy but February revenue lags; committee OKs $12,328 well-communications fix

Elelliana, the nursing-home administrator, told the LaSalle County Nursing Home and VAC Committee on March 12 that average daily census rose to about 68 in February with an occupancy approaching 70 and five admissions during the month, including short-term Medicare rehab placements.

On finances, Elelliana reported February revenue of $577,000 and expenses of $659,000, a month-to-month revenue decline of about $135,000 that she attributed in part to two fewer billable days and delayed insurer and Medicaid payments. She said Humana had not issued a $32,000 check in February and Medicaid had a delayed payment of roughly $8,900; she also described awaiting an additional insurance recovery of up to about $30,000 related to a supplemental-medical-coverage appeal. “We will recoup all of that money once they become active again with Medicaid,” Elelliana said.

Clinical metrics for February included 12 falls, one skin tear and one hematoma; the facility reported no major pressure ulcers, one hospital readmission for a GI bleed and one reportable resident-to-resident abuse/neglect incident. Elelliana described ongoing in‑services and audits tied to the facility’s plan of correction ahead of the upcoming annual survey window.

On staffing, Elelliana listed vacancies (seven RN positions, two LPNs, four CNAs, two unit attendants and two custodial positions) and said turnover stood at 3.6 percent; the home hired two CNAs and an infection-preventionist/wound-care nurse manager in February. She also announced a signed agreement with Illinois Valley Community College to host CNA and nursing clinicals, expected to start after April 1.

Facilities staff described a separate, urgent maintenance problem: Wesley Linton, director of maintenance, said the older on‑site well has lost automated communication with the water system and has been running on manual bypass, risking pump damage. Wesley recommended installing two wireless RTUs with battery backup to restore communication and automation; the quoted cost was $12,328. Nursing-home administration said the facility has funds to cover the repair and asked the committee to approve moving forward. The committee voted to approve the expenditure.

Committee members also reviewed updated quotes for a previously budgeted security upgrade: cameras ($20,000) plus door FOBs/door work ($11,000) for a total of $31,687 versus the $30,000 budgeted; the committee discussed options and did not record a final funding motion during the meeting.

Next steps: administration will proceed with the approved well-communications work, continue financial follow-up to recover delayed payments, implement clinical corrective actions, and bring any security-project funding decisions back to the committee.