Relevant

Harrisburg:  In a report released last week, the PA Center for Health Careers, a program of the PA Workforce Investment Board, unveiled its projections for the Registered Nurse and Licenced Practical Nurse workforce through 2014.  The report uses a model that was developed by the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis of the PA Department of Labor and Industry using past occupational data and assumptions about the future that are derived from a surveying process that the PA Board of Nursing conducts during nurse relicensure.  The predictive model has been in place for roughly five years and has been proven to be accurate in past performance.

Overall, the projections continue to show a continuing shortage of RNs and  LPNs through 2014 with a deficit of between 5,000 and 11,700 RNs and 8,300 and 12,300 LPNs in that period.  In addition, the statistics indicate...

• A narrowing of the shortage for RNs as the nurse education system in PA has doubled its graduation rate over the last several years;
• A dramatic increase in the shortage for LPNs as the demand-side usage of LPNs in long-term care continues to grow;
• Major difference around the Commonwealth in the shortage of nurses with the larger population centers in the south central, southeast, northwest, and Pittsburgh leading the way.

As the Center discussed these results this week, it affirmed its commitment to grow the nursing workforce in Pennsylvania while acknowledging the need to examine its policies regarding career paths for direct care workers, LPNs, and RNs in the Commonwealth.  To download a copy of the RN report, click here...for the LPN report, click here.  For more information, contact Scott Sheely, Co-Chair of the Supply Demand Committee at 717-735-0333.

Harrisburg:  After nearly four years of study, the PA Center for Health Careers, a program of the PA Workforce Investment Board, passed a package of recommendations from its Direct Care Committee on Thursday that moves forward the conversation about minimum standards for all Direct Care Workers.  Recommendations include upgrading training from 80 to 120 hours, consolidating regulations to one department of state government, addressing the need for faculty for the proposed training, and the development of competencies and scope of work statements that can guide the PA Department of Education in getting the training into the education system.

In addition to the recommendations, the report includes an initial statement of the competencies that should be included in any curriculum for direct care workers that may include certified nursing assistants, home health aides, personal care assistants, and other direct caregivers.  To download a copy of the report, click here.

Washington:  This brief from the Commonwealth Fund explains how traditional methods of nursing home regulation often impede culture change. The authors propose that nursing home surveyors adopt a new regulation model, which they dub ''smart'' or ''responsive'' regulation. This model would recognize the need for culture change, yet still hold failing nursing homes accountable. The brief highlights smart regulation models in Kansas and Oregon and outlines several issues that federal and state governments must address while shifting toward smart regulation.  Click here to download the article.

Washington:  A recent issue of the American Journal of Public Health reports the work of a task group from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health which recommended ways to protect the home health workforce in the midst of a pandemic. The home health care sector is a critical element in a pandemic influenza emergency response. Roughly 85% of the 1.5 million workers delivering in-home care to 7.6 million clients are low-wage paraprofessionals, mostly women, and disproportionately members of racial and ethnic minorities.  Home health care workers' ability and willingness to respond during a pandemic depends on appropriate communication, training, and adequate protections, including influenza vaccination and respiratory protection.  Preparedness planning should also include support for child care and transportation and help home health care workers protect their income and access to health care.

In the report, the authors summarize findings from a national stakeholder meeting, which highlighted the need to integrate home health care employers, workers, community advocates, and labor unions into the planning process.  Click here to download the article.