N.Y. nursing homes struggle with staffing amid COVID-19
Skip to main content
MDHC_Logotype_white
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • This Week's News
    • COVID-19
    • Providers
    • Insurance
    • Government
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Safety & Quality
    • People
    • Regional News
    • Digital Edition
    • Highlights of the $1.9T COVID bill nearing final passage
      Artist Gus Moran begins his chalk art piece Feb. 28 at the Disneyland Resort Vaccine Super Site POD.
      City of Hope commissions street art to spread positive messages
      The COVID-19 experience and its influence on post-pandemic health policy
      A close-up of President Joe Biden wearing a mask.
      Healthcare industry gearing up to try to find common ground with Biden
    • Highlights of the $1.9T COVID bill nearing final passage
      Doctors performing surgery
      Doctor appears in court video call while performing surgery
      Artist Gus Moran begins his chalk art piece Feb. 28 at the Disneyland Resort Vaccine Super Site POD.
      City of Hope commissions street art to spread positive messages
      The COVID-19 experience and its influence on post-pandemic health policy
    • Shareholder group calls out HCA for alleged excessive emergency department admissions
      Metrologo 600x400_i.jpg
      MetroHealth forms Center for Cancer Research
      Dr. Marc Boom
      Q&A: Houston Methodist CEO praises staff efforts to keep vaccine efforts going during ice storm
      The Check Up: Dr. Marc Boom
      The Check Up: Dr. Marc Boom of Houston Methodist
    • A younger woman provider helping an older woman on a tablet.
      Insurers set sights on growth in Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care
      By the Numbers: Insurers owing largest MLR rebates
      5 things to know about Alignment Healthcare's proposed IPO
      Solid sign-ups for Biden's new Obamacare coverage offer
    • MedPAC likely to recommend an effective cut in Medicare Advantage spending
      MedPAC likely to recommend CMS simplify alternative payment models
      Florida governor faces growing charges of vaccine favoritism
      States rapidly expanding vaccine access as supplies surge
    • 369178053.jpg
      Shares of insurer Oscar Health fall following $1.4B IPO
      Sutter Health posts sizable 2020 loss, announces sweeping review of finances
      UPMC's patient volumes stabilize, boosting 2020 profits
      Genomics firms taking advantage of SPACs trend to go public faster
    • Abbott gets emergency use authorization for test that detects COVID-19, other infections
      Insurance regulator to issue warning on virus-test billing
      351532635.jpg
      Red-hot virtual care market propels New York City health startups to record year
      Teladoc reports $383.3M in fourth-quarter revenue, up 145%
    • Doctors performing surgery
      Doctor appears in court video call while performing surgery
      Artist Gus Moran begins his chalk art piece Feb. 28 at the Disneyland Resort Vaccine Super Site POD.
      City of Hope commissions street art to spread positive messages
      54.2% of teens were fully vaccinated against HPV in 2019, compared with 51.1% in 2018. 79 million: Estimated number of Americans currently infected with HPV.
      Data Points: Another vaccination race for HPV
      Diagnostic developers hedge on coronavirus rapid antigen tests, citing conflicting FDA messages
    • Francoise_Adan1_i.jpg
      Cleveland's UH creates position of chief whole health and well-being officer
      Alicia Wilson
      Q&A: Emerging leader Alicia Wilson on staying close to home
      Michael Jordan, Novant team up to address health equity
      Former Ascension CEO, the first to lead the health system, passes away
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • South
    • West
  • Insights
    • ACA 10 Years After
    • Best Practices
    • Special Reports
    • Innovations
    • The Affordable Care Act after 10 years
    • Dr. John Fischer
      Patient-reported outcomes tool for hernia surgery helps physicians improve care
      New care model helps primary-care practices treat obesity
      doctor with patient
      COVID-19 treatment protocol developed in the field helps patients recover
      Rachel Wyatt
      Project to curb pressure injuries in hospitals shows promise
    • What's next for on-demand telehealth companies?
      A CalOptima PACE vaccination clinic.
      Will COVID-19 be the catalyst for creating a more sustainable healthcare system?
      A map of the U.S. with images of the coronavirus.
      The digital divide becomes a new social determinant of health
      Ascension’s St. Mary’s Hospital Surgery Center at Towne Centre and Allegheny Health Network’s Bethel Park surgery center
      Hospitals see opportunity, risk in ambulatory surgery centers
    • Ryan McGinnis
      Finding efficiencies in the OR using tech
      Dr. Daniel Hall
      UPMC pilots machine learning, telehealth to inform patient transfers
      A woman being recorded using her inhaler on a smartphone.
      Digital check-ins, connected inhalers help control asthma
      A phone screen showing the question, "Mary we hope this information was helpful and we'd like to keep guiding you. Are you interested in knowing when it's your turn to receive the vaccine?"
      Chatbots, texting campaigns help manage influx of COVID vax questions
  • Transformation
    • Patients
    • Operations
    • Care Delivery
    • Payment
    • What's next for on-demand telehealth companies?
      Rising prescription copays drop adherence, spike mortality, research shows
      Dr. John Fischer
      Patient-reported outcomes tool for hernia surgery helps physicians improve care
      Highmark Health inks six-year cloud, tech deal with Google
    • Ryan McGinnis
      Finding efficiencies in the OR using tech
      Hospitals' Medicare billing practices suggest upcoding, OIG says
      California hospitals prepare ethical protocol to prioritize lifesaving care
      Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Berkshire Hathaway disband Haven
    • Dr. Daniel Hall
      UPMC pilots machine learning, telehealth to inform patient transfers
      A woman being recorded using her inhaler on a smartphone.
      Digital check-ins, connected inhalers help control asthma
      Humana partners with in-home provider for 24/7 care
      A phone screen showing the question, "Mary we hope this information was helpful and we'd like to keep guiding you. Are you interested in knowing when it's your turn to receive the vaccine?"
      Chatbots, texting campaigns help manage influx of COVID vax questions
    • MedPAC likely to recommend CMS simplify alternative payment models
      Bundled payments reduce surgery costs by 10.7%
      Coordinated payment policies could speed transition to value, experts say
      CMMI's geographic direct contracting model needs an overhaul, experts say
  • Data/Lists
    • Rankings/Lists
    • Interactive Databases
    • Data Points
    • Health Systems Financials
      Executive Compensation
      Physician Compensation
  • Op-Ed
    • Bold Moves
    • Breaking Bias
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Vital Signs Blog
    • From the Editor
    • Dr. Alan Kaplan
      The risks, rewards of taking organizations 'where they haven’t gone before'
      Wellstar CEO calls adapting for the pandemic her bold move
      Howard P. Kern
      Recognizing the value of telehealth in its infancy
      Dr. Stephen Markovich
      A bold move helped take him from family doctor to OhioHealth CEO
    • Dr. Stephen Markovich
      Making sure we're aligned along the path to achieving inclusion
      Barry Ostrowsky
      Ending racism is a journey taken together; the starting point must be now
      Laura Lee Hall and Gary Puckrein
      Increased flu vaccination has never been more important for communities of color
      John Daniels Jr.
      Health equity: Making the journey from buzzword to reality
    • The COVID-19 experience and its influence on post-pandemic health policy
      Haven is history, but its mission is the future of healthcare
      Vaccinating children could be the key to ending the pandemic
      Mikelle Moore
      The promising future of rural healthcare, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic
    • Letters: Eliminating bias in healthcare needs to be ‘deliberate and organic’
      Letters: Maybe dropping out of ACOs is a good thing for patients
      Letters: White House and Congress share blame for lack of national COVID strategy
      Letters: VA making strides to improve state veterans home inspections
    • Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      How blockchain could ease frustration with the payment process
      Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      Three steps to better data-sharing for payer and provider CIOs
      Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      Reduce total cost of care: 6 reasons why providers and payers should tackle the challenge together
      Sponsored Content Provided By Optum
      Why CIOs went from back-office operators to mission-critical innovators
  • Awards
    • Award Programs
    • Nominate
    • Previous Award Programs
    • Other Award Programs
    • Best Places to Work in Healthcare Logo for Navigation
      Nominations Open - Best Places to Work in Healthcare
      Nominations Open - 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
    • 100 Most Influential People
    • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
    • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
    • Health Care Hall of Fame
    • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
    • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
    • Top 25 Innovators
    • Minorities in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Minority Leaders
      • - Minorities to Watch
    • Women in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Women Leaders
      • - Women to Watch
    • Excellence in Nursing Awards
    • Design Awards
    • Top 25 COOs in Healthcare
    • 100 Top Hospitals
    • ACHE Awards
  • Events
    • Conferences
    • Galas
    • Webinars
    • COVID-19 Event Tracker
    • podium march webinar logo lockup
      Sponsored Content Provided By Podium
      Webinar: Critical Touchpoints for Every Patient’s Journey — How Technology Plays an Important Role
      scp health logo lockup march 2021
      Sponsored Content Provided By SCP Health
      Webinar: COVID’s call to action — Reset for success in 2021
    • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
    • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
    • Healthcare Transformation Summit
    • Leadership Symposium
    • Virtual Briefings
      • - Hospital of the Future
      • - Mental Health
      • - Patient Safety & Quality
      • - Strategic Marketing
      • - Virtual Health
      • - Workplace of the Future
    • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
    • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
    • Top 25 Minority Leaders Gala
    • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
  • Listen
    • Podcast - Next Up
    • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
    • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
    • Video Series - The Check Up
    • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • Empty boardroom
      Next Up Podcast: What's going to happen tomorrow? Succession planning during emergencies
      Next Up Podcast: Educating patients on the COVID-19 vaccine with Tanya Andreadis
      Dr. Joseph Cacchione
      Next Up Podcast: Educating patients on the COVID-19 vaccine with Dr. Joseph Cacchione
      Dr. Karen DeSalvo
      Next Up Podcast: What to expect with telehealth and healthcare technology in the next four years
    • Beyond the Byline: Insurers are betting on virtual-first plans as COVID-19 shifts care pathways
      Beyond the Byline: How residents' stories shape our coverage of the vaccination rollout in nursing homes
      Beyond the Byline: Regulators aim to boost value push with fraud and abuse law updates
      An older man wearing a mask receiving a vaccine.
      Beyond the Byline: Verifying information on the chaotic COVID-19 vaccine rollout
    • Outreach during COVID-19
      Leading intention promote diversity and inclusion
      Introducing Healthcare Insider Podcast
    • The Check Up: Dr. Marc Boom
      The Check Up: Dr. Marc Boom of Houston Methodist
      The Check Up: Dr. Imran Andrabi
      The Check Up: Dr. Imran Andrabi of ThedaCare
      The Check Up: Tanya Blackmon
      The Check Up: Tanya Blackmon of Novant Health
      The Check Up: Dr. Patrick Hwu
      The Check Up: Dr. Patrick Hwu of the Moffitt Cancer Center
    • ivana naeymi-rad one on one intelligent medical objects
      Video: Ivana Naeymi Rad of Intelligent Medical Objects
  • MORE +
    • Advertise
    • Media Kit
    • Newsletters
    • Jobs
    • People on the Move
    • Reprints & Licensing
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Labor
January 26, 2021 10:46 AM

N.Y. nursing homes struggle with staffing amid outbreaks

Associated Press
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Modern Healthcare Illustration / Getty Images

    Nursing homes in parts of New York hit worst by this winter's COVID-19 surge say they're struggling to find enough staff as workers have gotten sick or needed to quarantine.

    About 80 nursing homes have reported nursing shortages as of early January, according to The Associated Press' analysis of the latest federal and state data. Most are located in parts of western and central New York that saw their first serious outbreaks of the virus begin in late autumn.

    At The Pearl nursing home in Rochester, a core group of nurses worked double shifts for weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, said administrator Christine Schaller.

    "I have people who didn't take any days off," she said. "That's how we survived."

    The 120-bed nursing home didn't see its first COVID-19 case until October. Since then, 14 residents have been killed by the disease. At least 40 staff members there have become ill, according to federal data.

    "It's been, for a few people, so frightening that they just were unable to work, they were so frightened," she said. "I've have some staff members who are going to have long term physical health problems from COVID. They've recovered from the disease and still have respiratory issues that are probably going to be lifelong."

    Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living, said homes are struggling with shortages caused by staff testing positive for the virus.

    "It's really difficult. They are pulling out all their stops doing everything they can to ensure adequate staff in facilities," Hanse said.

    The number of new COVID-19 cases has flattened in New York in recent days, but the state has still recorded nearly 600,000 new infections and 6,800 deaths since Dec. 1.

    The toll has been particularly high in nursing homes. At least 1,700 residents with COVID-19 have died in nursing homes since Dec. 1, according to a state count. The figure likely understates the number of fatalities, since New York doesn't report how many nursing home residents died after being transferred to hospitals.

    At least 13 staff members at the state's 600 nursing homes have also died of COVID-19 since Dec. 1, according to federal records.

    Around 7,600 nursing home workers have become ill during that time. That includes more than 100 infections among staffers at the 513-bed Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse, over 90 staff infections at the 350-bed Long Island State Veterans Home and at least 65 infections among staff at the 145-bed The Highlands at Brighton in Rochester, according to a federal tally.

    Vaccinations have been available to nursing home residents and staff since late December, but distribution is moving more slowly than many hoped.

    As of mid-January, about 37% percent of the nursing home workers in the state and two-thirds percent of residents had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

    New York's state health agency eased some restrictions in late December to allow most asymptomatic health care workers who were around someone who got COVID-19 to return to work after a 10-day quarantine period.

    But at nursing homes and assisted living homes, the standard is tougher. Workers who may have been exposed to COVID-19 must remain furloughed from work for 14 days unless the nursing home receives special approval from the state for workers testing negative.

    "It's really depleted the staff quite a bit," said Jim Klein, executive director of Leading Age, which represents largely non-profit and government-run nursing homes. "We're scrambling."

    Nursing homes are tapping into staffing agencies, but prices can be exorbitant.

    "We're also seeing staffing agencies take advantage of the pandemic and demanding very high prices for temporary staff," Hanse said. "I recently heard of a staffing agency out-of-state from Vermont that wanted to come in and for certified nursing assistants, you had to pay the staffing agency $65 an hour."

    Meanwhile, Ten Broeck Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Lake Katrine is offering $2,000 sign-on bonuses for full-time certified nursing assistants, who would start at $15.25 an hour.

    The state has a call center and an online staffing portal for nursing homes and hospitals facing staffing shortages, but nursing home operators say they are still struggling to attract help.

    Terri Piombo, vice president of admissions and marketing for Upstate Services Group, which runs 14 nursing homes in New York, said some potential workers aren't willing to treat COVID-19 patients.

    Nursing home operators said they haven't had much luck in recruiting retired nurses and doctors as volunteers — an option touted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

    "I don't know that we've had a lot of success in bringing workers back," said Bruce Gendron, vice president of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Grand Healthcare System. "I think part of the issue is that retired workers are typically at an at-risk age themselves."

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Send us a letter

    Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.

    Recommended for You
    Hospital, nursing home losses dampen February's healthcare hiring
    Hospital, nursing home losses dampen February's healthcare hiring
    As COVID surged, vaccines came too late for at least 400 medical workers
    As COVID surged, vaccines came too late for at least 400 medical workers
    Sponsored Content
    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up for free enewsletters and alerts to receive breaking news and in-depth coverage of healthcare events and trends, as they happen, right to your inbox.

    Subscribe Today

    The weekly magazine, websites, research and databases provide a powerful and all-encompassing industry presence. We help you make informed business decisions and lead your organizations to success.

    Subscribe
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS
    • Instagram

    Stay Connected

    Join the conversation with Modern Healthcare through our social media pages

    MDHC_Logotype_white
    Contact Us

    (877) 812-1581

    Email us

     

    Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Editorial Dept
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Code of Ethics
    • Awards
    • About Us
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Modern Healthcare
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • This Week's News
      • COVID-19
      • Providers
      • Insurance
      • Government
      • Finance
      • Technology
      • Safety & Quality
      • People
      • Regional News
        • Midwest
        • Northeast
        • South
        • West
      • Digital Edition
    • Insights
      • ACA 10 Years After
      • Best Practices
      • Special Reports
      • Innovations
    • Transformation
      • Patients
      • Operations
      • Care Delivery
      • Payment
    • Data/Lists
      • Rankings/Lists
      • Interactive Databases
      • Data Points
    • Op-Ed
      • Bold Moves
      • Breaking Bias
      • Commentaries
      • Letters
      • Vital Signs Blog
      • From the Editor
    • Awards
      • Award Programs
        • 100 Most Influential People
        • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
        • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
        • Health Care Hall of Fame
        • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
        • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
        • Top 25 Innovators
        • Minorities in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Minority Leaders
          • - Minorities to Watch
        • Women in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Women Leaders
          • - Women to Watch
      • Nominate
      • Previous Award Programs
        • Excellence in Nursing Awards
        • Design Awards
        • Top 25 COOs in Healthcare
      • Other Award Programs
        • 100 Top Hospitals
        • ACHE Awards
    • Events
      • Conferences
        • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
        • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
        • Healthcare Transformation Summit
        • Leadership Symposium
        • Virtual Briefings
          • - Hospital of the Future
          • - Mental Health
          • - Patient Safety & Quality
          • - Strategic Marketing
          • - Virtual Health
          • - Workplace of the Future
      • Galas
        • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
        • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
        • Top 25 Minority Leaders Gala
        • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
      • Webinars
      • COVID-19 Event Tracker
    • Listen
      • Podcast - Next Up
      • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
      • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
      • Video Series - The Check Up
      • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • MORE +
      • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Newsletters
      • Jobs
      • People on the Move
      • Reprints & Licensing