OK ST BD OF EXAMINERS FOR LONG TERM CARE ADMS, 9-27-06
DRAFT MINUTES
The Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long Term Care Administrators (OSBELTCA) met September 27, 2006 at the Shepherd Mall Office Complex, Activity Center, Ste 40 B, 2401 NW 23rd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with Ms. Mary Ann Karns, Chair, presiding.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Ms. Mary Ann Karns, Chair, Edmond
Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Vice-Chair, Oklahoma City
Ms. Jeannie Gault, Sec-Treasurer, Lawton
Dr. J. T. (Tom) O'Connor, Jr., Marietta
Dr. Maurice Payne, Checotah
Mr. Terry Williams, Oklahoma City
Mr. James (Jim) Jakubovitz, Tulsa
Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Tulsa
Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Oklahoma City
Ms. Terry Clark, Tulsa
MEMBERS ABSENT
Mr. Bill Weaver, Oklahoma City
Ms. Emma Jordan, Alva
Ms. Peggy Wiebener, Thomas
OTHERS PRESENT
Dr. Roger Lanier, Executive Director
Pam Duren
Bob Bethell
Lavenn Bethell
Brinda White
Karla Rogers
Adam Martens
Howard Miller
Gary McClure
Rhonda McClure
Elizabeth deCordova
Janine McCullough
Russell Mike Gartman
Carrie Burnsed
Carey Young
Chris Kmet
Rod Edwards
Greg Fiosse
Kathy Black
Cheryl Blankenship
Sandra Kay
Donald Kay
Lee Davis
John Haskins
Chris Norton
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Mary Ann Karns, Chair.
Ms. Karns asked the Board members to review the minutes of the August 23, 2006 Board meeting and asked if there were any corrections or deletions, being none, they were approved as submitted.
Ms. Karns asked the public present, to introduce themselves to the Board.
Ms. Karns did not have a report this month; however, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz had a Board comment to make. Mr. Jakubovitz stated that his facility had contemplated using HireWatch Criminal Background Check, which the Board had previously approved and was currently using. Mr. Jakubovitz now has reservations regarding HireWatch, due to the fact they had one free criminal background check, after processing this background check on a person they knew currently had problems on his record, disappointingly, the check with HireWatch came back showing his record to be clear. The Board decided to keep a close eye on HireWatch.
Dr. Roger Lanier gave his report as follows:
1. Administrative University is progressing very well. We picked up another registrant who was not required to attend which brings the class size to 17. The volunteer faculty has needed audio-visual support. We had none, but this month we purchased a PowerPoint Projector which was $899.00. We set it up with our laptop and remove it at the end of each class session. We have also had some unevenness as you would expect with volunteer faculty. There were some cancellations, some time changes, and some rescheduling. So far, we have been able to reschedule, or find substitute faculty to fill-in at the last minute. The students remain enthusiastic and the individual lecture evaluations have been strong.
2. We are scheduled to administer the State Examination again on October 6 (2:00 pm) and December 14 (9:00 am). Anyone interested in registering for the Examination should contact the office. With implementation of Administrative University and limited staff, we are reducing the number of times per year that the Examination is administered.
3. Last month it was reported that there were approximately 100 pending applications to which the Administrative University requirement would not be retroactively applied. A file audit was done this month and it turns out that there are 441 pending applications dating back to 1991 (see attached). The attached analysis displays the distribution over the 16 year period. Notably, 38% (167) of these files have no evidence of a baccalaureate degree, 15% failed to further respond after AIT details were mailed to them, and 65% date from 2003 or before.
These dated files are problematic for at least two reasons. First and foremost, as policy changes related to licensure are approved by the Board, it is not clear which can be retroactively applied to these historical applicants. The Administrative University requirement of August 1, 2006 applies to none of these 441 applicants. There has been no application fee or expiration date for Agency applicants. Therefore, hundreds of these files have had questions addressed (generally at levels several times above a normal applicant), copies made, continuous mailings with postage, and criminal background checks now dated up to 16 years without any compensation to the Agency. For the dated files, large proportions of the information would have to be repeated before the file could be presented to the Board for consideration (i.e., a criminal background check from 1991).
Consequently, without objection, a letter will be mailed to all applicants from 2003 and earlier (1) confirming their continued interest in licensure; (2) requesting that they contact the office; and (3) stating that their historical file will be discarded if we have not heard from them in 30 days. I would note that the Rules Committee is considering an application fee as well as a specified expiration date. This is critically important as we move forward.
4. There has also been some question related to the inactive file status, so a file audit was also performed for these records (see attached). These records were somewhat more manageable given the five year maximum status requirements. There were 50 files with 44% entering the status in the last year and 68% in the last two years. It was not completely clear why the status was employed, except that 56% lacked a baccalaureate degree which would relate to potential reinstatement.
5. The budget has continued to be the focus of much attention during the last month. Unpaid accounts continue to surface. Unpaid creditors continue to call several times daily. We invoiced the Health Department for services on the subcontract for the months of July and August and were paid (billed for September). Substantial deposits were realized from the Administrative University effort and licensure deposits will arrive in November and December. Jeannie Gault will provide other details.
6. The Complaint/Referral statistics have been briefly summarized and are attached. There are 10 complaints less than 180 days old and 12 complaints that exceed 180 days. Eight surveys have been received in September and 26 surveys have been received since early July.
7. Licensure renewal notices were mailed to 784 administrators on September 25 less those with income tax problems and those with suspensions or revocations from the Board.
8. I am scheduled to speak on Administrative University on October 10 at Green Country in Tulsa and on October 26 at Oklahoma Association of Homes and Services for the Aging at Metro Tech in Oklahoma City. I solicit all advice from Board Members, particularly if you are members of these interest groups.
Dr. Roger Lanier led the discussion, review and possible action regarding the new potential licensees.
Dr. Lanier informed the Board that Mr. Robert Bethell, endorsement candidate from Kansas, met all licensure requirements.
Motion was made by Ms. Terry Clark, seconded by Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, to approve Mr. Robert Bethell as an Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrator. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Ms. Jeannie Gault, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – None.
Dr. Lanier informed the Board that Ms. Elizabeth deCordova met all licensure requirements.
Motion was made by Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, seconded by Ms. Jeannie Gault, to approve Ms. Elizabeth deCordova as an Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrator. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Ms. Jeannie Gault, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – None.
Dr. Lanier informed the Board that Mr. Chris Kmet, endorsement candidate from North Dakota, South Dakota and Virginia, met all licensure requirements.
Motion was made by Dr. Tom O'Connor, seconded by Dr. Maurice Payne, to approve Mr. Chris Kmet as an Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrator. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – None.
Ms. Jeannie Gault was not present at this time, so consequently she had no vote.
Dr. Lanier informed the Board that Mr. John Haskins, reinstatement candidate, met all licensure requirements.
Motion was made by Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, seconded by Mr. Terry Williams, to approve the reinstatement of Mr. John Haskins as an Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrator. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – Ms. Nancy Pfeifer.
Ms. Jeannie Gault was not present at this time, so consequently she had no vote.
Dr. Lanier informed the Board that Mr. Adam Martens met all licensure requirements.
Motion was made by Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, seconded by Ms. Terry Clark, to approve Mr. Adam Martens as an Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrator. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Ms. Jeannie Gault Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – Ms. Nancy Atkinson.
Dr. Lanier informed the Board that Mr. Howard Miller met all licensure requirements.
Motion was made by Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, seconded by Dr. Tom O'Connor, to approve Mr. Howard Miller as an Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrator. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Ms. Jeannie Gault, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – None.
Dr. Lanier informed the Board that Mr. Chris Norton met all licensure requirements.
Motion was made by Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, seconded by Ms. Terry Clark, to approve Mr. Chris Norton as an Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrator. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Ms. Jeannie Gault, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – None.
The Board members congratulated the new Oklahoma Nursing Home Administrators and informed them to always check the Board's website for updated information regarding continuing education programs.
Ms. Mary Ann Karns led the discussion regarding the consideration and possible approval of the following programs:
OK ST Dept of Health
Unlocking the Mystery of MDS Assessment
October 24, 25, and 26, 2006
Gordon Cooper Tech Center
Shawnee, OK
Approved for 18 hrs CE
(This is a portion of Administrator University)
Motion was made by Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, seconded by Ms. Jeannie Gault, to approve the aforementioned program for 18 hrs of continuing education. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Ms. Jeannie Gault, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – Ms. Nancy Atkinson.
Mr. Jim Jakubovitz was not present, so consequently he had no vote.
OK ST Dept of Health
MDS Automation and Quality Indicator/Measure Workshop
November 1, 2006
Gordon Cooper Tech Center
Shawnee, OK
Approved for 6 hrs CE
(This is a portion of Administrator University)
Motion was made by Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, seconded by Ms. Terry Clark, to approve the aforementioned program for 6 hrs of continuing education. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Ms. Jeannie Gault, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – Ms. Nancy Atkinson.
There was discussion concerning the program submitted by the OK Community-based Providers which focused on Social Security Benefits and Employment. It was decided that the Board would continue on to the Finance Report while Mr. Jim Jakubovitz studied the program in detail.
Ms. Jeannie Gault, Sec-Treasurer, led the discussion regarding the Finance Report.
Ms. Gault reported that the Board continued to have unpaid vouchers totaling $17,500 and Dr. Lanier stated that there was a lot of technical detail involving getting the vouchers paid through the state's People Soft system. Dr. Lanier also informed the Board that he had attended 3 days of training through the Office of State Finance, of which he stated was no help at all in regards to getting the vouchers paid. It remains a grave concern for Board members regarding the inability to perform tasks mandated by legislation due to lack of funds. Dr. Lanier is gathering data regarding the aforementioned statement to submit to Dr. Terry Cline, Secretary of Health for the OK ST Dept of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, for help in receiving subsidiary funds for our agency. Discussion followed.
The Board members discussed the following program for approval of continuing education hours.
OK Community-based Providers, Inc.
Social Security Benefits and Employment
November 15, 2006
Metro Tech Bus. Conf. Center
Requesting 6 hrs of CE
It was determined that the aforementioned program, time frame from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., would be approved for 3 hours of continuing education and not 6 hours as requested, because the first session was information that was all knowing.
Motion was made by Dr. Tom O'Connor, seconded by Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, to approve the aforementioned program, time frame from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., for 3 hours of continuing education and not 6 hours due to the fact that the subject matter for the a.m. was considered all knowing. Motion carried with voting as follows: Affirmative – Ms. Nancy Atkinson, Ms. Eleanor Kurtz, Mr. Jim Jakubovitz, Ms. Jeannie Gault, Dr. Tom O'Connor, Ms. Nancy Pfeifer, Ms. Terry Clark, Mr. Terry Williams, Ms. Mary Ann Karns and Dr. Maurice Payne. Negative – None. Abstaining – None.
Ms. Jeannie Gault left at 10:30 a.m.
Dr. Roger Lanier included in the Board member packets an excellent news article written by Dr. Marie Bernard, a former Board member, entitled "Healthy aging is achievable" and he also mentioned there was an awesome news article on Tyler Tidwell, Linda Tidwell's son, who was a former investigator of the Board. Tyler is a student at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and excels in their football program