Medicare and Medicaid payment models should be adjusted to help achieve fully interoperable health information systems across all provider types within 10 years, according to a newly released government...
Kids, seniors have s’more fun
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2014
Long-term care residents might not be able to rough it as they once could, but as one Minnesota facility has shown, camping adventures still are possible.
Hospice care scrutinized
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2014
Medicare would increase hospice reimbursements by 1.3% in fiscal year 2015 under a payment rate proposed in May. This would be a $230 million boost, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS pushes back on quality measure recommendations
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2014
Healthcare providers face unfairly reduced reimbursements if they serve economically disadvantaged patients, according to a recent National Quality Forum draft report. The government rejected recommendations...
Veteran nurses struggle to make grade
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2014
Registered nurses with a lot of experience might have a harder time in graduate school than less seasoned nurses, according to a first-of-its-kind pilot study from California State University-San Marcos.
Residents reciprocate when nurses initiate warm regards
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2014
Relations between long-term care nurses and residents can be understood through the concept of “reciprocity,” and cultivating certain types of reciprocity can improve care, according to recent...
Sorbet raises food intake
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2014
Nursing home residents who have a sorbet appetizer tend to eat more at mealtime and maintain their weight, according to findings from a small study.
SNF Medicare rate rises 2%
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 01, 2014
The government has proposed increasing skilled nursing facility Medicare payments by $750 million in fiscal 2015.
State slaps FL nursing home with $16,000 fine for resuscitating resident against his wishes
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 06, 2014
Authorities in Florida have fined a nursing home $16,000 for reviving a resident with a do-not-resuscitate order, according to news reports.
Nursing homes in large insurance network temporarily spared from ACA contraceptives rule
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 06, 2014
Skilled nursing facility Villa St. Francis and other members of the nationwide Catholic Benefits Association do not have to offer health plans covering contraception while they pursue litigation against...