Gaps in Long-Term Healthcare: 3 Hidden Risks Your Facility Could Be Overlooking

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Are long-term healthcare facilities (LTHCFs) at a regulatory disadvantage without quality and risk departments? The lack of standardized best practices and gaps in?quality, risk, and compliance support leave many LTHCFs vulnerable to compliance pitfalls, costly incidents, and patient safety risks. With staffing and budget constraints, many LTHCFs have little choice but to prioritize immediate care needs over structured risk management, inadvertently creating compliance risks that could lead to serious financial and reputational consequences. Here are three significant areas where these gaps are showing—and what your facility needs to know to stay protected.

As you read through the gaps below, tell us—have you experienced these challenges? Share your thoughts on what’s working and where improvements are still needed!

1. Inadequate Infection Control:

Sometimes when a patient leaves for external care, they return with more than just a treatment— they may also bring infection risks that could ripple through the entire facility. When LTHCFs send patients to third-party facilities, like specialized care centers or hospitals, these patients are at risk of contracting communicable diseases such as flu or COVID-19, which they then bring back into the LTHCF environment. This creates two issues: potential spread among vulnerable populations and unexpected, rising healthcare costs tied to outbreak management and additional care. Without established quality and risk protocols or a dedicated department, the probability of these occurrences rises, leading to higher infection rates and potential liabilities. Facilities without a standardized process for assessing these risks may find themselves blindsided, facing escalating costs and scrutiny from families, insurers, and regulators alike.

2. The Paper-Based Trap: In a world where digital policy management is the norm, why are so many LTHCFs still relying on paper binders? Many LTHCFs still rely on paper documents for quality, risk, and compliance policies, creating a high likelihood of outdated or incomplete policy management. This fragmented approach can lead to critical gaps in communication and make it difficult to ensure staff are following the most up-to-date procedures. When policies are stored in paper binders, they are hard to locate, prone to damage or loss, and challenging to update consistently. Switching to a digital, centralized policy management system can help avoid these risks, enabling quick updates and easy access to the latest guidelines, ultimately saving time and reducing exposure to compliance risks.

3. The Fine Line:

Are outdated and disorganized records paving the way for costly penalties during audits? Many LTHCFs are caught between paper and digital systems, creating a fragmented approach to storing compliance files and documenting corrective actions. When policies, reports, and CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) documentation are spread across emails, physical binders, and multiple systems, essential information can fall through the cracks. During an audit, this scattered setup increases the risk of missing records, unverified corrective actions, and inconsistent policy updates—all of which can lead to hefty fines and corrective mandates. Without a centralized system, facilities face significant challenges in tracking and verifying compliance in real-time, leaving them vulnerable when regulatory agencies come knocking.

Join the Conversation

Your insights matter! As we navigate the ever-evolving challenges in long-term healthcare, your perspective can shine a light on the best practices—or gaps—that impact our industry.

Share your thoughts in the comments below:

• Do you agree with these points?
• What practices have you seen that help mitigate these risks?
• Have you encountered unexpected obstacles in digitalizing compliance or infection prevention?

Let’s keep the dialogue going. Tag a colleague or share this post to bring others into the conversation!

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