Who Am I?

My name is Maria Messina and I am a Registered Nurse who graduated from Northeastern University with a BSN. I have been a nurse for over 34 years. I have worked in Long Term Care Nursing since 1989 which has been a privilege. Prior to joining Long Term Care I worked at MGH on a medical surgical floor, as well as in a role as a RN on a psychiatric floor. I ran a support group for residents ages 18 through 80 plus while working as a psychiatric nurse.

What is my why for working in Long Term Care?

I want the lives of residents who reside in Skilled nursing facilities to be at the forefront of the care provided. It is a goal that they receive the best medical care and social activities that they deserve at this stage of their lives.

I also want to help staff who currently work in this setting to know that their work has meaning and purpose and not that it is just a mundane task they are doing today and everyday for the next 5 years.

How can I help your facility do that?

How can I inspire purpose for professionals who work in Long Term Care?

Let me introduce you to Skilled Nursing Support

Facility Support:

Skilled Nursing Support offers:

Services that observe, analyze and offer solutions for issues and inefficiencies identified.

Expertise in The MDS process for all residents regardless of payer source

Expertise in MA MMQ process and the perspective changes coming in 2023.

Expertise in Care planning process

Ability to educate staff on MDS process for several payer sources

Ability to review quality measures and identify ways to help meet expected industry benchmarks.

Chart Auditing to ensure residents are receiving accurate services:

Review of admission paperwork to assess accurate ICD coding

Review of MDS to assess if coded accurately

Review of Care plans to assure the clinical and social needs of your

residents are developed and delivered

Long Term Care Staff Support:

First , Skilled Nursing Support would like to acknowledge staff and how they make a difference in meeting the needs of our seniors and thank you all for what you do everyday.

Leaders should note how staff are making a difference in their organizations:

Physicians/RNP are providing visits which help residents receive care in place to attempt to avoid unneccessary hospitalizations and increased medical costs

Nurses are constantly assessing medical status and psychosocial needs to prolong life and comfort

Nursing assistants are providing ADL care which is providing dignity to the resident who can’t do it themselves

Dietary staff are providing adequate and pleasing meals that prevent weight loss enabling residents to have strength to fight off ailments

Rehab staff are providing care to promote the highest functional status of residents

Case Management staff continue to helps residents receive appropriate services to promote their highest functional level and best outcomes

Social Service Staff assess and help meet the psychosocial health needs of residents which help them feel safe and connected with other residents, friends and family.

Laundry staff are providing clean outfits that don’t shrink for dignity

Maintenance staff are fixing anything that matters to the resident so they can use devices to enhance quality of life

Activity staff are providing  a sense of group and belonging by group activities  Providing a sense of inclusion when invited to outings

House keeping staff are helping to keep their personal space free from clutter that prevents falls

Business office staff are helping them maintain financial security and lessen worry about how they can pay for things

How is Skilled Nursing Support able to help staff continue to do all of the above?

Skilled Nursing Support is available to provide education to staff:

This is not an all inclusive list but includes:

MMQ process

MDS process

Care plan development

Quality Measures Improvement

Culture of purpose development

If you are an individual who works in Long Term Care Nursing and need guidance to meet the demands of your role please contact me.

If you are a facility that may need support please reach out.

In Closing, I would like to leave you with this thought,

Dr Myles Munroe Said the biggest tragedy in life is not death, it is life without a purpose. Your purpose keeps you alive, keeps you focused and most importantly , it provides the excitement and energy to keep pushing and fighting when challenges come.

These are Challenging times in Long Term Care. Identify your Why which will help drive your purpose to continue to provide the best possible outcomes for our seniors in your care.