As we head into a season of thanksgiving and generosity, I am so grateful for all of you. How you love every day. How special you are with your hearts of compassion and giving. I was recently reminded...
Movement to cap nurse-agency pay rates advances in another state
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 15, 2021
Lawmakers could introduce legislation as early as this week that would regulate temporary staffing agencies and set maximum pay rates for agency healthcare personnel in Pennsylvania.
Contract therapy vs. management agreement: Who gets the win?
By
Melissa Brown
Nov 15, 2021
SNF providers are reconsidering everything after PDPM and COVID-19. These two tremendous catalysts have turned skilled nursing upside down in many communities, and have left providers wondering which route...
Delirium present in 60 percent of residents’ acute illnesses, but tricky to diagnose: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 15, 2021
Delirium may accompany 60% of the acute illnesses and adverse health events that occur commonly among residents, investigators say. Along with infections, regular use of benzodiazepines was linked to the...
Supporting the unpaid caregiver through the virtuous circle
By
Steven Littlehale
Nov 12, 2021
It seems inevitable. You are likely among the 53 million people in the United States who are unpaid caregivers for a loved one. If not, you may soon join their ranks. This unpaid and frequently unplanned...
Not so fast: 10 states suing CMS over healthcare worker vax mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 12, 2021
Despite many legal analysts’ view that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ healthcare worker vaccination mandate will clear legal muster, a group of 10 states have filed suit to stop it.
What long-term care operators are doing to comply with federal vaccination rule by first deadline
By
Danielle Brown
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 11, 2021
It’s all hands on deck as long-term care operators quickly develop implementation plans to comply with the new federal COVID-19 vaccination rule for workers with the first deadline just over three weeks...
Appreciation, with no regrets
By
Julie Thorson
Nov 10, 2021
Like so many of you, we have held off on in-person gatherings at our campus for months. As I write this blog, I am overwhelmingly excited about gathering in person for our volunteer appreciation luncheon...
COVID reductions ‘only half the equation’ in CareTrust recovery
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 09, 2021
CareTrust REIT’s mid-year concerns about the potential effects of delta variant infections on census recovery have all but disappeared, with executives reporting strong, third-quarter skilled nursing...
Breaking down the therapy changes
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Nov 08, 2021
Proposed rules almost always become final rules. On November 2, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (after threatening for four years) finalized the 15% payment reduction for outpatient...