A few months ago, I called up a nursing facility that was embroiled in a legal snafu. I’m not sure I was able to utter an audible response to its marketing representative since I was busy hitting...
Increasing length-of-stay
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jan 30, 2012
Length-of-stay — LOS — is one of those management reports that often leaves administrators and upper management bewildered. If you increase LOS, you essentially increase your census.
A survey system that works?
By
John O'Connor
Jan 30, 2012
All sides generally agree that the current nursing home survey system is flawed. But there’s hardly consensus on how best to fix it. Here’s something worth considering.
Vow to hire veterans for long-term care
By
Mary Gustafson
Jan 26, 2012
In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama proposed the creation of a Veterans Job Corp to curb high unemployment rates for returning veterans. That’s opportunity knocking for...
Going back to servant leadership
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 23, 2012
I have to wonder why, when some people get in a “power” position, they kind of turn into real … dictators. We’ve all seen it, everyone from the nursing assistant who gets promoted...
These calendars offer more than days to remember
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 11, 2012
Long-term care operators have produced a variety of clever, attractive calendars through the years. The illustrations have even shown simulated naked poses, with strategic signage saving the viewer from...
Take my advice, please
By
John O'Connor
Jan 06, 2012
One of the perks of working in this field is that there is no shortage of people or agencies willing to tell you exactly what to do.
Pharmacists and doctors and nurses — oh my!
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Dec 13, 2011
As I was thinking about packing for a recent convention — and those who know me know a lot went into wondering about how many pairs of shoes I could get into my suitcase — I started thinking about...
Medical necessity — slippery for some
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Dec 02, 2011
Medical necessity has become a common phrase in healthcare terminology, but what exactly does it mean? Unfortunately, this term has become very subjective and is the primary reason we have been denied...
NLRB offers guidance on social media policies and practices for nursing homes
By
Michael Pepperman, Esq.
Nov 22, 2011
The National Labor Relation Board’s Acting General Counsel has released a report summarizing a number of recent NLRB decisions involving employers’ restrictions on employee use of social media....