Many nursing homes fail to meet hand-washing guidelines, Joint Commission finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 04, 2013
A third of Medicare/Medicaid-certified long-term care providers surveyed by The Joint Commission during the first half of this year struggled to meet basic hand hygiene requirements, according to data...
Kill inpatient eligibility requirement for skilled care, former CMS chief Berwick says
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 04, 2013
The former head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has said the agency should scrap a rule requiring three days as a hospital inpatient to qualify for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing...
All stroke patients should have access to rehabilitation, skilled nursing care: American Heart Association
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 03, 2013
Every person who has a stroke should have access to needed rehabilitation and skilled nursing services regardless of how they are financing their healthcare, according to a new policy recommendation from...
Medical directors push for LTC-specific physician training, quality measures
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 03, 2013
Nursing facility medical directors should receive more training specific to long-term care, according to the American Medical Directors Association.
I saw the (nursing home) sign, and it opened up my eyes
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 03, 2013
When talking to long-term care leaders about new construction or facility renovations, I hear the word “residential” spoken often, and with great excitement and pride. And I’ve accepted...
CMS and AHCA: Providers zeroing in on antipsychotic reduction target
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2013
Nursing homes have made strides toward reducing antipsychotic medication use among residents with dementia, according to new figures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the American Health...
Nursing homes beneficial for Medicare program, researchers find
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2013
Nursing homes often decrease residents’ need for services covered under Medicare, according to new research published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The results reinforce the idea...
McKnight’s Fall Online Expo to address top operator challenges
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 27, 2013
The inaugural McKnight’s Fall Online Expo will feature a slate of distinguished experts addressing some of the most pressing long-term care issues, including Minimum Data Set changes and hospital...
CMS issues guidance on incomplete, unsubmitted MDS discharge assessments
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 27, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified steps providers must take to comply with Minimum Data Set requirements regarding incomplete or unsubmitted discharge assessments.
King’s dream and the thorny reality in long-term care
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 27, 2013
I got together with a few friends last weekend, and one of them mentioned she had volunteered in a nursing home during high school. She shared one of her vivid memories, of a certain resident who was sweet...