Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehab Center has partnered with two vendors — AlignMed Partners and Third Eye Health — in an attempt to improve care while also addressing staffing challenges at the New Hampshire-based facility.
AlignMed Partners will staff a nurse practitioner at the facility to deliver patient care during weekdays, while Third Eye Health will provide immediate virtual care during nights, weekends and holidays.
“Adding Third Eye’s telehealth technology and physician services extends benefits from our residents to our staff and local health systems. Since implementation, we have seen improvements in outcomes, reduced return to hospital rates, better staff retention, and higher overall provider satisfaction,” said Sean Stevenson, a representative of Pleasant Valley’s ownership.
“By combining our two decades of experience in the skilled nursing setting with Third Eye’s proven virtual care platform, we are well-positioned to deliver excellent care outcomes to residents,” said Al Shaine, president of AlignMed Partners.
“Our providers spend time with family members to understand their concerns and ensure they are comfortable with our decisions. We also offer a powerful reporting platform, enabling Pleasant Valley to share data on the value of our solutions with hospitals, home health organizations, insurers and other partners,” said Dan Herbstman, CEO of Third Eye Health.
Both AlignMed Partners and Third Eye Health bring experience to this partnership. Since 2018, they have integrated their services in hundreds of facilities, refining workflows that enable seamless care transitions and coordination.
The collaboration could serve as a compelling model for other skilled nursing facilities looking to enhance care delivery, its advocates claim.
Staffing challenges at nursing facilities are prevalent and worsening for several reasons. The aging population is increasing the demand for skilled care, while the supply of trained healthcare professionals is not keeping pace.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated burnout and stress among healthcare workers, leading to higher turnover rates. Low wages, difficult working conditions, and limited career advancement opportunities have also acted as a barrier to entry.
Faced with these obstacles, many operators are turning to tech-driven solutions and new partners to help alleviate staffing shortages — while also focusing on optimal care delivery.
