No ACOs have reliable interoperability with external organizations, survey finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 25, 2014
A widespread lack of interoperable technology threatens the Accountable Care Organization model, according to recently released survey results.
White House to providers: New antibiotic regs on the way
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 23, 2014
Long-term care providers should take pride in their antipsychotic reduction efforts, and certainly should work hard to meet the new goals announced Friday. But it should not escape their notice that just...
House leader urges HHS to end settlements meant to cut Medicare backlog
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 17, 2014
The Department of Health and Human Services may not have had the authority to offer providers special settlements to help clear a huge backlog of Medicare appeals, a leading Congressman said in a recent...
Five-star ratings: What a racquet?
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 16, 2014
The provider community can sound downright oxymoronic when it comes to the five-star rating system for nursing homes.
MedPAC chairman: Three-day stay requirement is ‘archaic’
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 16, 2014
The government should pay for skilled nursing care without a preliminary three-day hospital stay, and the recovery auditor program should be reformed, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission members said...
Nursing homes should think twice before using a well-known tool for diagnosing depression, researchers...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 15, 2014
A familiar tool for diagnosing depression in dementia patients might not be very effective in the nursing home setting, according to findings recently published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Assisted living communities continue to make a terrible first impression on prospective customers, university...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 15, 2014
Assisted living communities consistently do not make a good first impression with prospective customers, and they haven’t improved this skill set in the last decade, according to data from George...
Nursing homes tend to administer high-risk medications to returning residents, study shows
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 12, 2014
Nursing homes may be ratcheting up high-risk medication use for certain residents who return to the facility after a stay in the hospital, according to recently published findings.
NC nursing home reaches $35,000 settlement over charges it discriminated against disabled worker
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 11, 2014
A North Carolina long-term care company has reached a $35,000 settlement over charges that it discriminated against a cook/dietary aide with a physical impairment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission...
Long-Term Care Commission members shed light on financing deliberations, urge continued political pressure
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 11, 2014
Long-term services and supports should be a major focus of next year’s White House Conference on Aging, and advocates should work to keep financing reform in the spotlight during the upcoming mid-term...