Skilled Nursing Chain

Case Study: Reducing Costs While Improving Care in Skilled Nursing & Long-Term Care Facilities

Title

Cutting Costs Without Compromising Care: RD Nutrition Consultants’ Impact on Skilled Nursing & Long-Term Care

Client Overview

A chain of 20 skilled nursing and long-term care facilities operating across four states, with an average census of 1,800 residents. The organization faced mounting financial pressures due to increased labor costs, compliance challenges, and inefficiencies in nutritional care delivery.

Challenges

• High Labor Costs: The in-house dietitian model was expensive, with salaries, benefits, and turnover driving up costs.

• Inefficiencies: Gaps in coverage led to compliance issues, missed assessments, and inconsistent nutritional care.

• Regulatory Compliance: Facilities struggled to meet CMS requirements, resulting in costly citations and fines.

• Operational Complexity: Managing dietitian staffing and scheduling across multiple locations was time-consuming and inefficient.

Solution

RD Nutrition Consultants developed a customized solution to address the client’s challenges:

1. Hybrid Staffing Model: Implemented a mix of onsite dietitians and telehealth services, reducing the need for full-time, salaried staff while maintaining coverage.

2. Streamlined Operations: Centralized dietitian staffing and scheduling, ensuring consistent service delivery across all facilities.

3. Regulatory Support: Provided expertise in state and federal compliance, preventing costly penalties.

4. Focus on Outcomes: Tracked key metrics like weight loss incidents, malnutrition rates, and patient satisfaction to ensure high-quality care.

Results

• Cost Savings: Reduced staffing-related expenses by 30%, saving the chain over $1.5 million annually.

• Regulatory Compliance: Achieved 100% compliance with CMS requirements, avoiding fines and citations.

• Improved Efficiency: Reduced administrative burden by 41% with centralized scheduling and reporting.

• Better Outcomes: Decreased weight loss incidents by 20% and improved resident satisfaction scores by 18%.

Cost Reduction Breakdown

• Labor Savings: Transitioning from in-house to contract dietitians eliminated costs related to benefits, PTO, and turnover (approx. $1.2M).

• Compliance Savings: Avoided an estimated $312,007 in fines through proactive regulatory guidance.

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined staffing and scheduling processes reduced internal administrative costs by $102,200 annually.

Client Testimonial

"RD Nutrition Consultants has been a game-changer for our facilities. Not only have we significantly reduced costs, but we’ve also improved the quality of care for our residents. Their team is professional, reliable, and cost-effective." -Chief Operating Officer

Call-to-Action

Ready to reduce costs and improve care at your skilled nursing or long-term care facilities? Contact RD Nutrition Consultants today to learn how we can help.