Nursing home infection rates have increased across the board, hepatitis has surged 50%, Columbia researchers...
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 09, 2014
The rate of nursing home infections increased during a recent five-year period, with especially dramatic surges in multi-drug resistant organisms and viral hepatitis, according to recently published findings...
CMS: Nurse shortage means hospices can keep using contracted workers
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 08, 2014
Hospices can continue to rely on contract nurses because an ongoing nurse shortage is preventing providers from meeting their staffing needs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in a...
Long-term care providers applaud signing of IMPACT Act, prepare for new Five Star elements
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 07, 2014
On the heels of victories such as the newly signed IMPACT Act, providers are ready to more aggressively push for their interests on Capitol Hill, leaders of the nation’s largest long-term care trade...
Let there be light for better nurse health, patient care
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 01, 2014
Creating workspaces with natural light could improve nurses’ job performance and health, Cornell University researchers believe.
AHCA: Managed care transparency needed
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 01, 2014
The government should collect and release more claims information from managed care plans, the nation’s largest long-term care provider association stated in a recent letter to Senate leaders.
Hospice billings changed
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 01, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently updated instructions on coding hospice claims. Billing staffs should be aware of these changes, which went into effect Oct. 1, CMS stated in a memorandum...
Post-acute partnerships now have become a widespread strategy to reduce hospital readmissions, survey...
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 03, 2014
Hospital partnerships with post-acute providers can be considered a “key strategy” in reducing readmissions, according to market data gathered by executive advisory service Healthcare Intelligence...
Should we all want to die at 75?
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 30, 2014
Nursing homes would be put out of business if scientists discover how to stop the aging process, McKnight’s Editorial Director John O’Connor wrote in his blog yesterday. But the reverse is...
Next stage of HIPAA audits will move quickly and result in enforcement actions against providers, official...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 26, 2014
Impending audits could lead to penalties for healthcare providers not complying with health information privacy laws, an official stated Wednesday.
41% of multi-drug resistant infections are acquired when nursing home residents are hospitalized, more...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 25, 2014
A significant proportion of multi-drug resistant infections in nursing homes originate in acute care hospitals, indicating that greater coordination between settings is needed, according to recently published...