CMS targets $180 million in Medicare diabetes savings
By
Marty Stempniak
May 01, 2018
Diabetes is a costly concern in long-term care, and federal officials hope that an innovation project can lead to cutting almost $200 million off the tab.
Visit from home care nurses linked to more emergency department use by seniors
By
Marty Stempniak
May 01, 2018
Receiving a home care visit from a nurse increases the likelihood that an older patient will end up in the emergency department later that day, according to a new study.
Are you the Superman, Wonder Woman or Dwight Schrute of long-term care?
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 27, 2018
When the day starts to drag, and the fantasies begin rolling through your head at work, what fictional character do you start picturing yourself as? Are you the Wonder Woman of the nursing home field?...
Experts cite LTC’s better disaster preparedness scores but say more needed
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 24, 2018
How well-prepared is your nursing home in the event that a disaster strikes — be it an active shooter, hurricane, cybersecurity attack or outbreak of Legionnaires disease?
4 steps toward slaying the zombies in your nursing home
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 20, 2018
They’re everywhere — in your billing department, food services, human resources or janitorial — and they’re secretly sabotaging your nursing home, one day at a time. We all know some.
‘Deep concern’ gets a reaction
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 08, 2018
Providers returned fire after a dozen Senators recently expressed their “deep concern” about delaying and reducing federal penalties against nursing homes. Critics, including the lawmakers, say that...
Triple pill cuts blood pressure
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 08, 2018
A pill combining low doses of three blood pressure-reducing medications significantly increased the number of patients reaching blood pressure targets, compared with usual care. About 70% of patients in...
New LTC opioid ‘Playbook’ out
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 08, 2018
The National Quality Forum has released a comprehensive guide to help support safe opioid prescribing and pain management. The “National Quality Partners Playbook: Opioid Stewardship” provides strategies...
Report forecasts ‘bright future’ for SNFs
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 08, 2018
Despite falling occupancy and mounting Medicare payment pressures, a national consulting firm says providers are poised to benefit from the changing industry. “The Silver Tsunami and the increasing capabilities...
ACOs save on backs of SNFs
By
Marty Stempniak
Apr 08, 2018
Providers taking part in a Medicare experiment saved money by funneling care away from skilled nursing facilities and toward physician services, according to a new analysis.