When I saw the New York Times article illuminating the clever ways devious operators could inflate their Medicare star ratings, I had mixed emotions ranging from fury to rage.
Have we lost our connection to what’s important?
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Aug 15, 2014
We sometimes use high-minded phrases to describe our work and our hopes for our patients. But have we lost our connection to important words? Do they still hold meaning they once did, and if so, how strongly?
Put analytics to work as the population ages
By
Drew Goddin
Feb 26, 2014
The pressure is on. As the population ages, nursing homes will have to play a more central role in helping realize the national mandate of reducing healthcare costs while improving its quality.
Where are the long-term care professionals?
By
Mary Helen McSweeney
Oct 02, 2013
The number of older adults and adults with disabilities in the United States is rapidly increasing. Individuals looking for rewarding healthcare careers in a competitive job market should be filling all...
Imagine surviving COVID-19 and dying from pressure injury complications
By
Karen Lerner
May 01, 2020
Caregiver fatigue and not having proper support contributes to the quality of care she/he is able to provide. Before anyone ever heard of COVID-19, most heard whispers of a nursing shortage. As our nation...
Creating buy-in for Triple Aim
By
Kristy Wikum
May 12, 2014
Before you can implement policies to help achieve the triple aim, you’re going to need the all-important buy-in from staff. First, let’s look at the triple aim itself and how it benefits consumers.
Survey and certification: Level that playing field!
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 11, 2012
As you engage in quality improvement efforts, put together data-driven marketing materials, complete a HUD refinance application, or talk with families and other community members take care to make sure...
A mantra in wake of coronavirus: Stay home and save a life
By
Michael Wasserman
Mar 11, 2020
The year was 1985. I was an intern in the cardiac intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. A man who was the well-known voice for several animated television characters was laying on a gurney....
Don’t let residents throw their oral care under the bus
By
Joel Glicksman, D.D.S.
Jul 26, 2013
I hear it all the time: “I’m too old; I don’t want to fix my teeth.” Older patients easily give up on their oral health not realizing the importance of teeth to their overall health....
‘The therapy caps are back!!!’
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Apr 05, 2012
Are the therapy caps back? Well, sort of. Here’s a quick summary of the current regulations that were recently passed and how they affect you.