H*4295 Concurrent Resolution, By Neilson, Rhoad and Stuart
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA AREA HEALTH EDUCATION
 CONSORTIUM IN CONDUCTING ITS STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF ALL HEALTH
 PROFESSIONALS TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEMS OF THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF
 NURSES AIDES IN SOUTH CAROLINA NURSING HOMES AND TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND
 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1998.

   06/04/97  House  Introduced HJ-151
   06/04/97  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-151
   01/28/98  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-3
   01/29/98  House  Amended HJ-20
   01/29/98  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-22
   02/03/98  Senate Introduced SJ-7
   02/03/98  Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-7
   02/12/98  Senate Committee report: Favorable Medical Affairs SJ-11
   02/17/98  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-86

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 12, 1998

H. 4295

S. Printed 2/12/98--S.

Read the first time February 3, 1998.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4295), requesting the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium in conducting its statewide needs assessment, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

THOMAS L. MOORE, for Committee.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE SOUTH CAROLINA AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CONSORTIUM IN CONDUCTING ITS STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF ALL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEMS OF THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF NURSES AIDES IN SOUTH CAROLINA NURSING HOMES AND TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1998.

Whereas, eighty percent of care in nursing homes is provided by nurses aides, and turnover rates for nursing aides in long term care are as high as one hundred percent in a two-year period;

Whereas, nurses aides are serving sicker and more severely handicapped patients due to the trend to keep patients at home and served by home and community health services as long as possible and;

Whereas, long term care facilities have great difficulty in finding nurses aides to fill openings;

Whereas, care for advanced dementia patients is difficult and poorly rewarded;

Whereas, increased workloads in long term care are demanding more health providers;

Whereas, our single elderly often have only their personal care nurses aides to depend on, as families are often not available;

Whereas, the pay scale for nursing aides is comparable to unskilled fast food workers;

Whereas, South Carolina's aging population is growing and will continue to increase as the baby boomers approach the ranks of senior citizens; and

Whereas, South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) is currently involved in a statewide health profession needs assessment of all health professionals including licensed and unlicensed providers under an enhanced AHEC contract. The health profession planning under the enhanced contract will focus on health care skills and competencies to serve the population in critical areas of health needs which include geriatric care. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That by this resolution, the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina requests the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium, in conducting its statewide needs assessment of all health professionals, to examine the problem of recruitment and retention of nurses aides in South Carolina nursing homes and to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly before January 1, 1999.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium.