R.I. nursing homes defend coronavirus care after Raimondo challenge

A trade association that represents most of the nursing homes in Rhode Island is defending their care during the coronavirus pandemic after Governor Gina Raimondo challenged nursing homes during an address Wednesday.

Rhode Island's "nursing homes and our workers fought tirelessly against this virus, yet without the proper tools and support, they were climbing uphill," Rhode Island Health Care Association President and CEO Scott Fraser said in a press release.

"The homes have certainly received some monetary assistance, very small amounts of PPE (personal protective equipment) and now have more regular testing, but in the initial two months of this virus, our calls for assistance were heard, but only slowly answered," Fraser said. "These initial months had a big impact on how this virus played out in RI nursing homes."

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Addressing the state's response to the coronavirus on Wednesday, Raimondo said the state would continue wage bonuses for nursing-home workers and provide more money for cleaning and personal protective equipment.

However, she said the state's investment will include scrutiny via increased inspections to make sure nursing homes are doing all they can to keep their residents healthy.

"We're providing the support, but were also going to be asking for increased compliance," she said.

She also said the state will make nursing homes "better, stronger and safer," and asked that Rhode Island "innovate around long-term care," the Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA) noted.

As of late June, 73% (627 of 927) of Rhode Island's COVID-19 deaths were associated with nursing homes, the RIHCA acknowledged, but the association says states across the country, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, have similar percentages and it's no surprise that the coronavirus would hit hard in nursing homes because of their elderly population.

According to the RIHCA, 8% of Rhode Island's 7,500 nursing-home residents have died because of COVID-19 related illness.

Overlooked are the stories of survival, Fraser said. Nearly three-quarters of the 2,745 people who have contracted the virus in Rhode Island's nursing homes have recovered, he said.

"Our homes are celebrating these recoveries week after week," he said.

Rhode Island's nursing homes are ranked "among the best, strongest and safest homes in the country," Fraser said, but the state hasn't always been quick to respond to their requests for help..

"Because of the vulnerable nature of our nursing homes, RIHCA made it a priority to have a consistent communication to the state on our concerns and need for assistance at the onset of this virus," he said. "Many requests were answered, but some critical needs were slow in coming."

For example, the association said it asked the state to test hospital patients for COVID-19 before they were transferred to nursing homes. According to the association, the state "took weeks to institute this testing policy." Untested hospital patients are what brought the first cases of COVID-19 to nursing homes, the association claims.

The association also complained about difficulty finding PPE in the first two months of the pandemic, having to bid against hospitals and states at a high cost.

Rhode Island's nursing homes "are willing to be at the table to discuss how we move forward with a smart continuum of care for the people of (Rhode Island), yet we want to remind Rhode Islanders that we are caring for the most frail elderly in our state who in most cases need 24-7 care," Fraser said.

He also noted that Medicaid patients account for two-thirds of nursing home residents and the state has cut the Medicaid budget nearly every years since 2012.

"If the Governor is willing to replenish the Medicaid budget after significant cuts and UHIP reimbursement issues, and provide more funding for single rooms and home care – this would be a welcome change," Fraser said.

jperry@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @jgregoryperry

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