In the demanding realm of skilled nursing, where providers grapple with staffing shortages, regulatory pressures, and rising costs, one Indianapolis-based company has emerged as a beacon of innovation and resilience. Brickyard Healthcare, guided by CEO Wesley Rogers, has crafted a strategic approach that not only addresses these pervasive challenges but also sets a benchmark for the industry. With remarkable progress in staff retention, survey compliance, and clinical outcomes, their multifaceted playbook offers a glimpse into how adaptability and vision can transform obstacles into opportunities. This isn’t just about surviving in a tough landscape—it’s about redefining what success looks like for skilled nursing providers.
The story of Brickyard’s achievements is grounded in a deep commitment to improving care for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. By blending centralized expertise with targeted investments and pioneering care models, the company has achieved measurable gains, such as record-low survey deficiencies and slashed rehospitalization rates. These results highlight the power of a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes both immediate needs and long-term sustainability, providing a potential roadmap for others in the sector.
Centralized Expertise and Operational Efficiency
Harnessing a Central Hub for Compliance
Brickyard Healthcare has turned its Indianapolis headquarters into a powerhouse of operational efficiency, centralizing critical functions to tackle the complexities of skilled nursing regulations. This hub serves as the nerve center for communication, compliance management, and data analysis, enabling rapid responses to issues like survey citations. Specialized staff focus on dissecting citation data to pinpoint areas for improvement, a strategy that has paid off with the company recording its lowest average deficiency points in history. This centralized approach ensures that facilities across the board benefit from shared expertise, minimizing errors and fostering a culture of accountability. It’s a model that prioritizes precision, ensuring that regulatory challenges don’t derail the mission of quality care. By streamlining these processes, Brickyard has created a framework that not only meets but exceeds industry standards, offering a lesson in how centralized support can drive systemic improvement across multiple locations.
Driving Advocacy Through Unified Efforts
Beyond compliance, the centralized structure at Brickyard plays a pivotal role in coordinating advocacy efforts that shape the broader skilled nursing landscape. From the Indianapolis base, dedicated teams work to influence policy and address systemic issues, ensuring that the company’s voice is heard in legislative circles. This unified approach allows for a consistent message when lobbying for changes that benefit both providers and residents, such as improved funding or workforce development programs. The efficiency of having advocacy efforts managed from a single point means quicker mobilization on critical issues, avoiding the delays often seen in fragmented systems. This strategy also fosters collaboration with other stakeholders, amplifying impact on key initiatives. The result is a proactive stance that not only protects Brickyard’s interests but also contributes to industry-wide progress, demonstrating how a centralized model can extend its influence far beyond internal operations to effect meaningful change.
Staffing Solutions and Retention Strategies
Crafting Incentives for Workforce Stability
High turnover has long been a thorn in the side of the skilled nursing industry, but Brickyard Healthcare has made significant strides in reversing this trend with a thoughtful mix of incentives. By implementing programs like tuition reimbursement, attendance bonuses, and mentoring opportunities, the company has reduced its annualized turnover rate by 20%, bringing it down to the lower 70% range from over 90% in previous years. These initiatives are designed to foster a sense of value and belonging among staff, addressing the root causes of dissatisfaction that often lead to departures. Additionally, referral bonuses encourage current employees to bring in trusted peers, further strengthening team cohesion. This multi-pronged approach recognizes that financial rewards alone aren’t enough—building a supportive work environment is equally critical. The impact is clear: a more stable workforce translates to better continuity of care for residents, proving that investing in staff pays dividends in both morale and outcomes.
Expanding Reach with International Talent
To bolster staffing levels further, Brickyard has looked beyond local talent pools, hiring 50 nurses from the Philippines with plans to recruit another 50 over a committed three-year period. This international recruitment strategy addresses immediate shortages while bringing diverse perspectives to the team, enhancing cultural competence in care delivery. These hires are supported through structured integration processes to ensure they adapt to the unique demands of skilled nursing in the U.S. Moreover, plans to overhaul new hire orientation underscore a focus on retention during the critical first six months, a period when many employees are most likely to leave. Tailored training and onboarding aim to equip new staff with the tools and confidence needed to succeed long-term. This forward-thinking approach not only fills staffing gaps but also builds a resilient workforce capable of meeting evolving resident needs, highlighting how global solutions can address local challenges in a high-pressure industry.
Advancing Value-Based Care
Pioneering Provider-Owned Care Models
Brickyard Healthcare stands at the forefront of transforming skilled nursing through its involvement in creating the largest U.S. network of provider-owned Medicare Advantage Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNPs) in Indiana, now encompassing 240 facilities. This innovative model is designed to deliver enhanced clinical support specifically for long-term Medicaid residents, a population often underserved by traditional managed care systems. By focusing on tailored interventions, the initiative aims to reduce unnecessary healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes. Early results are promising, with rehospitalization rates dropping significantly in participating facilities, reflecting the potential for this approach to redefine care delivery. The I-SNP framework prioritizes preventive measures and coordinated care, ensuring that residents receive consistent, high-quality support. This positions Brickyard as a leader in value-based care, offering a scalable solution that could inspire similar efforts across the nation.
Measuring Impact Through Clinical Outcomes
The tangible benefits of Brickyard’s value-based care initiatives are evident in the sharp decline of rehospitalization rates, which fell from 22.7% in early 2022 to 18.9% by mid-year, with some facilities reporting even steeper monthly reductions of up to 20%. These figures underscore the effectiveness of targeted clinical strategies in preventing avoidable hospital returns, a key metric of care quality in skilled nursing. The focus on data-driven interventions, supported by the I-SNP network, allows for real-time adjustments to care plans, addressing issues before they escalate. This proactive stance not only improves resident well-being but also reduces financial strain on the healthcare system by minimizing costly hospital stays. Such outcomes highlight the critical role of innovation in tackling longstanding industry challenges, demonstrating that value-based models can yield both clinical and economic wins. Brickyard’s success in this area serves as a compelling case study for how strategic care redesign can create lasting impact.
Facility Investments and Care Expansion
Upgrading Infrastructure for Better Care
Despite choosing not to expand its portfolio of 23 facilities amid high real estate costs and interest rates, Brickyard Healthcare has committed $5 million to enhance existing locations with cutting-edge upgrades. Investments in dialysis units and specialty programs for respiratory and cardiac care reflect a dedication to addressing the increasingly complex needs of residents. These enhancements ensure that facilities are equipped to handle a wide range of medical conditions on-site, reducing the need for external transfers and improving overall care quality. The focus on infrastructure upgrades demonstrates a pragmatic approach—prioritizing depth over breadth to maximize impact within current constraints. By modernizing spaces and services, Brickyard not only elevates the resident experience but also positions itself as a provider capable of meeting future demands. This strategy underscores the importance of adaptability in maintaining high standards without overextending resources.
Tailoring Services to Resident Needs
The emphasis on specialty care programs at Brickyard goes beyond physical upgrades, aiming to create a holistic environment where residents receive personalized attention for their unique health challenges. Respiratory and cardiac initiatives, for instance, are tailored to support those with chronic conditions, integrating advanced monitoring and treatment protocols to prevent complications. This targeted approach ensures that care delivery aligns closely with individual needs, fostering better health outcomes and resident satisfaction. Additionally, these programs help build trust with families, who see the commitment to specialized services as a sign of comprehensive care. The investment in such areas also attracts skilled professionals eager to work in facilities with robust clinical offerings, indirectly aiding retention efforts. By focusing on service expansion within existing facilities, Brickyard illustrates how strategic enhancements can elevate standards, offering a model for balancing quality and fiscal responsibility in skilled nursing.
Political Advocacy for Long-Term Impact
Influencing Legislation for Workforce Growth
Political advocacy forms a vital pillar of Brickyard Healthcare’s strategy, with dedicated staff working tirelessly to shape policies that address systemic industry challenges. A notable achievement came through collaboration with State Senator Shelli Yoder on a groundbreaking bill in Indiana, allowing high school juniors to enroll concurrently in college nursing programs. This legislation prepares students to take board exams shortly after graduation, creating a direct pipeline of qualified caregivers to combat chronic workforce shortages. Such forward-thinking policy work tackles the root of staffing issues by investing in future talent, ensuring a steady flow of skilled professionals over time. The initiative also reflects a broader commitment to community impact, aligning educational systems with healthcare needs. Brickyard’s role in driving this change highlights how advocacy can extend beyond immediate operational concerns to build sustainable solutions for the entire sector.
Building Partnerships for Broader Change
The advocacy efforts at Brickyard extend beyond individual policies, focusing on building coalitions with legislators, educators, and other stakeholders to amplify their influence on healthcare reform. By fostering these partnerships, the company ensures that its initiatives, like the dual-enrollment nursing program, gain traction and support at multiple levels. This collaborative approach allows for the exchange of ideas and resources, strengthening the case for legislative changes that benefit not just one provider but the industry as a whole. Engaging with diverse groups also helps anticipate future challenges, enabling proactive rather than reactive responses to emerging trends. The emphasis on sustained dialogue with policymakers demonstrates a strategic vision that prioritizes long-term stability over short-term fixes. Brickyard’s success in this arena serves as a reminder that meaningful progress often requires collective effort, positioning advocacy as a powerful tool for reshaping the skilled nursing landscape.
Reflecting on Strategic Triumphs
Looking back, Brickyard Healthcare has carved a path of notable success by addressing the skilled nursing industry’s toughest challenges with a blend of innovation and determination. Their efforts in centralizing operations, slashing turnover rates, and pioneering value-based care through expansive I-SNP networks have marked significant milestones. Investments in facility upgrades and impactful legislative advocacy further solidified their standing as a forward-thinking provider. Each initiative, from international staffing to policy reform, played a crucial role in enhancing care quality and operational stability. For the industry at large, these accomplishments offer a proven framework to emulate—demonstrating that a strategic focus on both immediate and future needs can yield lasting results. Moving forward, skilled nursing providers might consider adopting similar multi-layered approaches, prioritizing data-driven care models and workforce development. Exploring partnerships and advocating for systemic change could pave the way for a more resilient sector, ensuring that quality care remains within reach for all who need it.
