Judge slashes nursing home’s $1 million fire escape penalty by $974,000
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 06, 2018
An administrative law judge has reduced a $1 million fine against Philadelphia’s Springs at Watermark to just over $26,000, deciding the nursing home took appropriate preventive measures within three...
Feds suspect misuse of Nuedexta to calm nursing home dementia residents
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 05, 2018
Nuedexta is the only drug approved to treat uncontrolled laughing and crying due to pseudobulbar affect.
Medicare expands pre-approval program for power wheelchairs
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 05, 2018
A Medicare demonstration that requires healthcare providers to request pre-approval before prescribing medical devices such as powered wheelchairs will get new life this fall.
Nursing home owner investigated for $80K payout to legislator who moved to limit negligence claims
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 05, 2018
A judge has ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate an $80,000 wire transfer from a nursing home owner to a former state senator’s construction company — money that allegedly...
Nursing home advocates say AGs’ push for punitive enforcement won’t improve quality
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 04, 2018
The leading association for skilled nursing providers said Friday that a call by state officials to reinstate tough federal enforcement policies might undercut quality gains.
Louisiana, Missouri leaders wrestle with ‘granny cam’ laws
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 04, 2018
In-room nursing home cameras could soon be operating in a sixth state, thanks to the signature of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D).
Senator says new ‘right-to-try’ law is meant to undercut FDA’s authority
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 04, 2018
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) wants the Food and Drug Administration to get out of the way of a “right-to-try” signed into law by President Trump last week.
Also in the News for Monday, June 4
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 04, 2018
Second state adopts individual insurance mandate … Kansas is last state in the nation to develop an Alzheimer’s plan … Most hospitals now require workers to get flu shots, but those treating...
Factoring in hospital ‘observation’ stays erases gains in readmission rates, study finds
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 01, 2018
In a healthcare system that increasingly relies on hospital readmission rates as a quality indicator, a critical omission may be dramatically skewing the data, finds a study published Thursday in the New...
Hospitals to share more risk with skilled nursing, other partners in pilot for elderly care
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 01, 2018
A new pilot being tested by the American Hospital Association in five U.S. health systems aims to create “age-friendly” care that focuses on safety, patient satisfaction and universal value.