Some nursing homes to get extra staffing if outbreak hits

Emma Dale

The state health department says it will provide rapid response staffing for nursing homes and other long-term health care facilities in 11 Michigan counties if they are hit by a COVID-19 outbreak and face a staff shortage.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said it will provide staffing for up to 72 hours through 22nd Century Technologies Inc., a national firm that provides staffing support for medical facilities nationwide.

MDHHS said in a news release that facilities seeking assistance will need to meet criteria and exhibit that they have used all other options. The resources provided will include registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, personal care aides or resident care assistants, the release added.

“As additional COVID-19 testing takes place in long-term care facilities, some facilities will experience a need for surge staffing if staff test positive,” said Robert Gordon, MDHHS director. “To meet this need and ensure the safety of long-term care residents, MDHHS has established emergency staffing for short-term, immediate support to facilities facing acute staffing crises.”

Michigan’s nursing homes have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.

The resources will be available in the following Michigan counties: Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon, Newaygo, Montcalm, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Washtenaw.

The health department said the assistance will help with long-term need at facilities, but also daily activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, eating, infection prevention and environmental cleaning.