The results of the analysis of occupied beds in the skilled nursing units indicated that many of the existing residents could be moved to an adult home with a limited home health care component. This produced the question, could we fill the empty beds if we moved these residents to a lower level of care?

In mid year 2000 the case mix index was 1.052 with 116 of the 120 beds occupied. 32 of these residents could have been relocated into an adult home with an assisted living component, such as a Licensed Limited Home Health Care Agency. Such a move would have resulted in having only 84 beds occupied.

Since that time, considerable effort has be made by Montgomery Meadows to increase the case mix index of the residents. When we began our work on this feasibility study, we requested more specific and current information to more accurately assess the need for skilled nursing beds. The following are a few examples:

• On 22 March 2002 there were 10 empty beds with 17 residents who could be relocated to an adult home with an assisted living component. This would result in only 93 being occupied, but it’s an increase nine skilled nursing residents when compared to the mid year 2000 situation.
• On 3 April 2002 there were an additional 2 bed unoccupied for a total of 12 empty beds with the same 17 residents who could be transferred to a lower level of care.
• On 10 April 2002 there were 11 empty beds with the same 17 residents who could be transferred to a lower level of care.
• By 24 April 2002 the occupancy had dramatically improved. There were only 5 empty beds, with the same 17 residents who could be transferred to an adult home with an assisted living component. This translates to a resulting occupancy of 98 beds. However, at this time there were 4 potential residents on the waiting list that could not be admitted because of an insufficient number of private rooms. Could they have been admitted that would have resulted in an occupancy of 102 beds.
• On 1 May 2002, Montgomery Meadows was able to fill one of the previous empty beds.