The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has been awarded a $224,166 grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to address preventable rehospitalizations in Florida’s skilled nursing centers. The funding will support FHCA’s Reducing Rehospitalization Collaborative, a one-year pilot program focused on enhancing training and resources for nursing center staff.
The initiative aims to help facilities develop performance improvement plans that target unnecessary hospital readmissions among long-term care residents. “Unnecessary hospitalizations can lead to negative outcomes for residents and increased healthcare costs,” said Emmett Reed, FHCA Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal with this project is to create a collaborative approach among center staff, residents and their family members to promote person-centered interventions that will have a positive impact on residents’ well-being.”
FHCA received the grant through its nonprofit Education and Development Foundation. The program will be conducted in partnership with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), utilizing funds from the Quality of Long-Term Care Facility Improvement Trust Fund. This fund was established within AHCA to back programs aimed at improving care quality for nursing home residents.
Shevaun Harris, Secretary for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, commented on the state’s commitment: “Florida continues to be a national leader in nursing home quality, and with strong partners like the Florida Health Care Association and under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, we’re advancing innovative initiatives that improve care and outcomes for nursing home residents. With one of the largest elderly populations in the country, we recognize the importance of evolving care models. This pilot program reflects our commitment to proactive, person-centered solutions that enhance the well-being of seniors across our state.”
Florida’s short-stay and long-stay rehospitalization rates are above the national average. Addressing these preventable hospitalizations is a key focus area for FHCA’s Quality Cabinet as it seeks to minimize disruptions in stability and recovery for long-term care residents.
The pilot will involve 45 nursing centers participating in collaborative learning sessions, applying Quality Assurance Performance Improvement principles, and receiving coaching on data-driven methods to identify causes of preventable rehospitalizations. Participants will also learn evidence-based strategies for monitoring resident conditions more effectively. The program began September 1 in west central Florida and is being implemented by Q3 Healthcare Consulting on behalf of FHCA.
