Ohio

Governor DeWine announces revolution, unveils Ohio’s bold plan to improve nursing home care

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has made a major announcement for the healthcare industry: the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has authorized a plan meant to make private rooms available in nursing homes all throughout the state more accessible. The project—led by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM)—is part of a larger plan to improve the quality of life and care for nursing home occupants.

Emphasizing the vital requirement of private rooms in nursing homes, Governor DeWine pointed out that they not only enhance residents’ dignity, autonomy, and comfort but also have a direct bearing on better health outcomes.

“In Ohio, we have the capacity to provide a private room to every nursing home resident who wants one,” Gov. DeWine said. “Our proposal to make this a reality has now been approved by CMS and is also supported by the nursing home industry. We are working together to make private rooms more accessible in a way that’s ultimately a win for everyone.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has made a major announcement for the healthcare industry: the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has authorized a plan plan meant to make private rooms available in nursing homes all throughout the state more accessible.

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The recently approved reimbursement plan created by ODM will provide extra money to facilities adding more private rooms. For every private room with a private bathroom, nursing homes will now get an extra $30 daily; for rooms with shared bathrooms, they will get an extra $20 daily. This financial incentive is supposed to inspire new institutions to give private rooms top priority in their designs as well as existing ones to upgrade.

Data from nationwide research by Health Management Associates supports the decision to increase private room availability since most long-term care residents would rather live in single occupancy than in shared rooms. Beyond only providing personal comfort, private rooms greatly lower the risk of infection—a major concern in environments where inhabitants are vulnerable to major medical consequences.

Private rooms have also been demonstrated to help patients with dementia specifically in terms of improved sleep patterns and lower incidence of agitation and aggressive behavior. Maureen Corcoran, ODM Director, highlighted the significance of this project. This is what he said:

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“By reducing multi-occupancy bedrooms, we are improving the mental well-being of individuals and decreasing the risk of infection. We are taking proactive steps to protect nursing home residents and provide them with the highest quality of care possible.”

This CMS approval represents the most recent initiative under Governor DeWine’s direction aimed at raising Ohio’s nursing facility standards. After establishing the Ohio Nursing Home Quality & Accountability Task Force, the state has seen various initiatives meant to improve nursing home operations, including the Ohio Nursing Home Quality Navigator launch. This program offers thorough online information on the nursing facilities in the state, therefore promoting openness and helping families to make better decisions.

The new compensation structure will be implemented over the next months, indicating a significant step toward changing the long-term care picture in Ohio. Together with continuous efforts to increase resident advocacy and enhance workforce training, this legislative change emphasizes Ohio’s commitment to raise the quality of care in nursing homes all over the state.

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