Some changes in operations made to the North Shore Health Care Center

Staff shortages continue to plague the North Shore Health Care Center. There are 37 rooms, but some remain empty because there aren’t workers available to take care of residents who would reside there, and there is a waiting list to get in. To help remedy that, management has come up with a plan and the following goals:

Reduce staff burnout by making workloads more manageable and reducing necessary overtime.

Maintain a resident census of at least 28 residents.

Develop a process for resuming admissions.

Maintain flexibility to address emergency staffing needs, such as call-ins, emergencies, etc.

Continue with staff recruitment.

Goals include increasing efficiency with current staff and continuing to provide quality care while maximizing potential admissions.

Some changes include designating The Woods Household for higher acuity patients, and the Waves Household for lower acuity patients. Because the Waves Household will have lower acuity residents, “a nurse or Trained Medication Assistant (TMA)” will be able to care for at least seven or eight residents without an assigned Nursing Assistant.

So far, several residents have been moved between the two households based on Minimum Set Data that determines care needs and levels.

“As much as possible, the moves have been minimized,” said North Shore Health Administrator/ CEO Kimber Wraalstad.

A Universal Worker Model will be utilized to accomplish the goals set forth. It will consist of Nursing staff or TMA staff to be available during the day and evening shifts.

Admissions have resumed to meet the census goal of at least 28 residents, said Wraalstad, adding, “This plan may result in admissions from someone who is lower on the waiting list, so questions can be directed to Robert McGregor or me.”

Portage Band returns

Monthly dances are back at the Care Center. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the monthly dances were put on hiatus, but the Portage Band is back and playing for the residents.

“The Portage Band is a much-anticipated event at the Care Center! Residents have to be dressed up and hair done,” wrote Kimber Wraalstad, North Shore Health and Care Center Administrator.

Wraalstad recounted that when she first joined North Shore Health, “I heard about the monthly dances that were held at the Care Center, and I was a little disbelieving. Monthly dance? Many of the residents are in wheelchairs, and a majority of the remaining residents have mobility limitations, so monthly dances? Then I had the opportunity to experience the Portage Band and the happiness and joy they bring to our residents and other members of the Community. They play the ‘old’ country music many of us grew up with, and our residents are delighted. After that, I found myself dancing with residents, and I don’t dance!”

Members making up the Portage Band are Jimmy Spry, Butch Deschampe, Arvid Dahl, Joe Peterson and Jake McCormick.

“The Portage Band has helped create a special time for our residents. They may even recall the time a resident was brought out of her bed to hear them play because they were her favorite band. They bring so much joy and happiness to the residents of the North Shore Care Center,” said Wraalstad.