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Good morning. The Feds drew a line in the sand this week detailing the regulation and enforcement of the vaccine mandate for CMS participants. Just as we predicted, CMS is relying on us as providers to develop policies and figure out how to achieve their lofty expectations.  With 30% of the healthcare workforce unvaccinated as of today, we're all feeling uneasy. There does seem to be wiggle room for health and religious exemptions but let's not kid ourselves; that's  the gray area surveyors leverage to exploit positive-intended operators.

With many unknowns ahead, the one thing I am confident of is that we will get through this. We will succeed. Our residents will get care. Our teams will continue to be supported. You will make sure of that, just like you always have.

Elevate Your Operation

A few weeks ago, we wrote about maximizing your daily stand-up meeting. In case you missed it, you can check it out here.

This week, we're focusing on an equally, if not more critical daily touchpoint operators often overlook—the daily huddle.

The daily huddle is when each manager or team leader gathers their team for a quick five-minute touchpoint to discuss the priorities of the shift or day. It should be completed by every manager, regardless of the department. As the NHA, your daily huddle is your stand-up meeting. Your teams need to incorporate the same practice with their teams.

Communication, both upward and downward, is by far the most significant deficit and challenge our communities face.  

I was reminded of the value of the daily huddle today when sitting in on a neighborhood huddle among nurses, nursing assistants, and the NHA. After the NHA gave some community updates, she opened up the floor to the team. One of the nurses spoke up and began talking about a new resident exhibiting actions such as exploring her environment and actively expressing she wanted to return home, pacing within her room. The nurse shared that Ms. Smith, we'll call her, lived with her daughter for several years and was concerned her daughter needed her, thus triggering her desire to leave. Immediately, other team members chimed in with facts and preferences of Ms. Smith they had learned through caring for her, including how she enjoyed engaging in conversation and playing card games. Person-centered ideas and approaches began flying around the room. The NHA didn't say a word as the impromptu care plan meeting continued to develop a plan of engagement for the resident. Some other unrelated operational gems that came up from the employees were a broken office chair in the charting area and a need for more linens  at the beginning of their shift. The NHA was able to replace the chair on the spot and committed to having a solution for the linen issue to present during the following day's huddle. It was powerful to watch, and was clear the huddle was a habit within this community. Because it was part of the culture, team members felt utterly comfortable sharing ideas and perspectives on making the community better.

Make huddles a part of your facility's culture. It's a small investment of time that will reap huge rewards and save a ton of time on the backend.  

Share The Love

So, today is Friday. When was the last time you managed to leave early on a Friday?  

If you're still head-scratching trying to remember or if the only thing you can think of is that one day this summer, you left at 4:30 instead of 5, then keep reading.

Your challenge today is to get half your team out of the building by noon. They deserve a break, as do you.  Here's how you do it.

Split your leaders in two equal (as possible) teams. Perhaps you already have this sorted out for inclement weather situations? Decide on one of the teams and kick them out at noon sharp today. I'm serious. Walk them out of the building and tell them not to come back until Monday. Next Friday, do it with the other half of the team. This way, the operation is covered, and everyone gets a break. Your team will appreciate it even more because of the spontaneity.

A Voice You Should Hear

Here is an entirely unsolicited recommendation for someone that you should be following. James Lee is the CEO of Bella Groves and host of the Level Up podcast. The guy gets it. His insights are creative, wise, and worth the time. Check him out, and tell him NHA Stand-Up recommended him. Maybe we can nail him down for a guest column in the future!

Grab your coffee and make it a great day.  We appreciate you and your dedication to your team and residents. -Thank you!