CMS issues formal alert on how nursing homes should manage Thanksgiving visits
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed that it will be issuing an alert for providers on how they should manage residents and workers who may want to visit loved ones during the Thanksgiving...
Antibiotics in LTC: Changing from ‘Just in case’ to ‘Only when needed’
By
Philip D. Sloane, M.D., MPH and Sheryl Zimmerman, Ph.D.
Mar 01, 2017
Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, the most common cause of death was infection. There was no good treatment for pneumonia, complications of urine or ear infections were common, and many people died...
The importance of a smoking policy
By
Betty Norman
Oct 25, 2012
Resident smoking polices mean much more than cleaner air at long-term care facilities. As recent incidents demonstrate, having effective policies for residents – and making sure they are followed...
Skilled nursing operators must exploit PDPM better during pandemic: CLA analysis
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 16, 2020
Skilled nursing operators would be remiss to forget about the opportunities the Patient Driven Payment Model presents during the ongoing public health emergency, according to a new industry report. Most...
Preparation and F-tag knowledge will keep providers clear of huge, new infection control penalties, experts...
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 04, 2020
Developing a thorough understanding of key F-tags and emergency preparedness requirements are key strategies nursing homes should adopt to ensure they avoid steep fines following infection-control focused...
BREAKING: Nursing home commission makes 27 recommendations, calls for ‘greater leadership role’...
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 16, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released recommendations from the Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes on Wednesday and, as expected, they contain a laundry list of...
Stakeholders need to prepare for the loss of long-term care’s exemption to e-prescribing
By
Cynthia Morton
Sep 15, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is set to lift long-term care’s exemption from its e-prescribing rule as of Nov. 1. This is bigger news than most realize right now, and there has been...
Political grandstanding hurting long-term care again
By
Brendan Williams
Jun 04, 2018
It is regrettable that 17 state attorneys general are grandstanding by demanding that federal officials impose stricter nursing home regulation and sanctions. Their letter shows no real understanding of...
Hold on. This is gonna hurt.
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 10, 2021
I was listening earlier this week to an update on federal vaccine mandate challenges, which seem likely to send us on a roller coaster ride of emotions, preparedness and, potentially, disorganization,...
CMS and providers have reason to celebrate
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 16, 2016
I encourage providers to pause and pat themselves on the back. That’s because 30-day hospital readmission rates have dropped in all states except one over the past five years.