SNF rehab claims scrutinized more than ever, expert says
Jul 11, 2012
Nursing home administrators who can’t substantiate every minute of rehab therapy delivered in their building leave themselves open to increasingly common audits and surveys, a top MDS 3.0 expert...
Study shows sickest people most dissatisfied with care
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Nursing home residents, who often have at least one or more chronic condition, are among the sickest individuals treated by the American healthcare system. This population’s high utilization rates...
Study: Information, training can cut physical restraint use
By
Mary Gustafson
Jul 06, 2012
Interventions such as group training sessions and the provision of supportive materials for staff, residents and relatives can help nursing homes reduce dependence on physical restraints, a new study finds.
Ask the payment expert: How will our new e-charting system influence our reimbursement?
By
Patricia Boyer
Jul 05, 2012
We are getting a new electronic charting system. Is there anything we should be aware of with the change?
How to do it… Incontinence management
Jul 05, 2012
It is one of the most common conditions of the elderly in nursing homes, yet one of the easiest to handle poorly. Incontinence can be a frustrating issue for long-term care providers, costing more than...
CMS boosts payments, incentives for dialysis centers
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 03, 2012
Medicare payments to providers that offer outpatient maintenance dialysis treatments will increase 2.5% in calendar year 2013, regulators said.
Formal, written policies can help long-term care facilities avoid healthcare-associated infections, experts...
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 21, 2012
Long-term care organizations must practice diligent adherence to hand hygiene regimens and establish clear, written protocols for containing and preventing healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), experts...
Letter: Provider group accuses CMS of using Medicare audits for ‘stealth policymaking’ purposes
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 20, 2012
A provider group is taking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to task for improperly using Medicare audits as a means of curtailing high-intensity therapy in skilled nursing facilities.
Lonely elders at increased risk for physical decline, death, study finds
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 19, 2012
Seniors who self-identify as being lonely are at a higher risk for physical decline, death and admission to a nursing home, new research suggests.
Medicaid spending now represents biggest portion of total state spending, study finds
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 13, 2012
Medicaid spending increased 20% in fiscal 2012, representing the single largest portion of total state spending. This, combined with federally mandated Medicaid eligibility expansions, puts state budgets...