Huge West Virginia chemical spill hits long-term care facilities
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 13, 2014
Long-term care facilities in nine West Virginia counties were in emergency response mode Friday, after a huge chemical spill created a federally declared disaster and rendered tap water unusable.
Make therapy caps lower, streamline review process, MedPAC chairman urges House committee
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 10, 2014
Congress should set lower annual caps on Medicare reimbursements for outpatient therapy and streamline the manual review process for claims exceeding those caps, a Medicare policy expert told the House...
Former nursing home bookkeeper perpetrated highly complex embezzlement, authorities charge
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 10, 2014
A former nursing home bookkeeper faces felony charges related to a long-running embezzlement scheme that authorities say was astonishingly complex.
Nursing home residents appreciate caring staff, but workers could do a better job honoring resident wishes,...
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 10, 2014
Caring staff members who form close relationships with residents are a strength of long-term care facilities, but workers could more consistently honor residents’ choices and privacy, according to...
Transition from facility to home- and community-based care greatly increases dual eligibles’ risk...
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 09, 2014
Dual eligibles who moved from a long-term care facility to home- and community-based services had a 40% increased risk of a potentially preventable hospital stay, according to recently published research.
Overdocumentation and cloning in electronic health records are overlooked risks, investigators say
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 09, 2014
Auditors reviewing Medicare and Medicaid claims from electronic health records are largely treating them in the same manner as paper claims, even though they pose unique risks for overbilling and fraud,...
FDA proposes glucose meter guidance to improve infection control in nursing homes, hospitals
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 09, 2014
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has drafted more stringent guidelines for blood glucose monitoring test systems used in nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare settings.
CCRC engineers holiday cheer
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 01, 2014
Arbutus Park Retirement Community does not just deck the halls for the holiday season. It lays down rails.
Omega closes $525M deal
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 01, 2014
Omega Healthcare Investors closed a $525 million deal to acquire 55 skilled nursing facilities.
Brookdale targets new goal: national brand recognition
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 01, 2014
Brookdale Senior Living is known as one of the largest U.S. assisted living operators, but the Tennessee-based company has ambitious plans to establish itself as the national leader across the whole continuum...