Technology has been a true game-changer in long-term care. That’s why it gives me such great pleasure to announce that the 2017 McKnight’s Technology Awards contest will kick off Thursday (May...
You call these nursing home secrets?
By
John O'Connor
Apr 08, 2013
Reader’s Digest magazine recently published an article called “50 Secrets a Nursing Home Won’t Tell You.” I’m a bit dismayed by the lack of evidence that’s actually...
If you want to live dangerously, work in a nursing home
By
John O'Connor
Nov 25, 2013
When you buy a pack of cigarettes in this country, you also get an admonition from the Surgeon General. Why? To point out how dangerous going near tobacco products can be.
Moderna’s vaccine highly effective against COVID-19: FDA review
By
John O'Connor
Dec 16, 2020
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is 94% effective in preventing symptomatic illness, according to information released Tuesday. The initial review’s findings appear to set the table for federal authorization...
Feds unveil plan to improve tech safety via partnerships
By
John O'Connor
Aug 01, 2013
Healthcare technology can greatly help or harm the care residents receive. Recognizing this dichotomy, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has issued a health...
An internal challenge that’s far worse than mission creep
By
John O'Connor
Aug 29, 2016
Navigating those so-called easy forms often turns out to be about as effortless as walking across the Amazon Jungle with just a machete.
CMS wants to know how you make things better
By
John O'Connor
Jul 06, 2012
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may be asking you for help this summer. It might behoove you to sit up and take notice.
Shame is powerful motivator
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2007
About a decade ago, I wrote a controversial column that offended some readers. In it, I suggested the industry start policing itself by identifying and reprimanding the bad actors in this field, lest the...
His advice: You’re probably doing it all wrong
By
John O'Connor
Feb 22, 2016
George Cloutier has been giving nursing homes and other small business clients this troubling message for three decades: You don’t know what you are doing.
Ask the legal expert … about leave-of-absence mistakes
By
John O'Connor
Oct 01, 2013
How can we avoid some of the most common leave-of-absence mistakes administrators/owners make?