Behind the scenes of skilled nursing care with a medical director
May is Older American’s Month (OAM), when we acknowledge the perennial contributions of older adults to our nation and focus on issues important to them. Many older adults make their homes in skilled nursing facilities. One of the experts they rely on there is a medical director, who ensures excellence in patient care.
A note from The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine Medical Director …
Michael Douglas, MD, Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center
Nationwide, over the last 10 years, skilled nursing facility care has evolved from primarily the long-term care of frail elders to complicated and resource-intensive post-hospital care. The population of people receiving care in nursing facilities has grown to include more medically complex patients as individuals are discharged ”sicker and quicker” from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities. However, the majority of patients at nursing facilities across the country are still long-term stay patients who themselves have also had increasingly complex medical concerns. This has resulted in an increased need for highly trained, committed and available health care practitioners, willing to provide care on site.
At some facilities, the medical director’s role is solely to provide administrative medical management of all patient units, overseeing the medical care delivered by the providers. At The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine, my role is twofold. While providing medical oversight, I also provide direct patient care, along with a geriatric nurse practitioner.
The director of nursing, the administrator, other health professionals and myself collaborate to develop formal patient care policies. Our goal is to continually enhance the quality of clinical care and other health-related services. For example, with my guidance, we have implemented specific performance expectations of any physicians or other health care practitioners who see patients here. We work together to provide a safe and caring environment for all patients.
Not only is patient care very important to me as medical director, but I also can’t overstate the importance of the medical director’s leadership in quality assurance, quality improvement, medical care and credentialing. The purpose of the medical director is primarily centered on helping the facility become a center of excellence in long-term care. We will continue to work together to further this process.
If you have questions or suggestions regarding patient care in one of our communities, please contact us and let us know!