Dedicated observation stay units could protect nursing home benefits, save hospitals $1 billion annually,...
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 06, 2013
Specialized hospital units for patients under observation status could dramatically reduce the number of seniors forced to pay out-of-pocket for skilled nursing care, according to findings in the current...
Now available on a screen near you: ‘Derek’ shows the complicated life of a nursing home...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 17, 2013
I sat down to watch an episode or two of “Derek” over the weekend. I thought I’d write a blog about my impressions of this Ricky Gervais show set in an English nursing home, newly released...
Dual eligibles more likely to go from hospitals to lower quality nursing homes, referral process might...
By
Tim Mullaney
May 27, 2014
People eligible both for Medicare and Medicaid go to lower-quality nursing homes after being hospitalized at a rate higher than Medicare-only patients, according to researchers from Brown and Harvard universities.
Increasing cynicism is No. 1 predictor of nursing home administrator turnover, research shows
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 06, 2014
Nursing home administrators with high levels of cynicism related to a feeling of professional burnout are most likely to leave their job, suggests new research from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Four tips for relieving stress in long-term care
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 08, 2014
Stress is hurting the job performance of a huge number of people in this country — and long-term care workers are among those at greatest risk. At least, this was suggested by poll results released Monday....
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.
Of Brookdale and branding: Thoughts for the small operator
By
Tim Mullaney
Feb 25, 2014
Brookdale Senior Living’s acquisition of Emeritus Corp. is part of an ambitious strategy to make Brookdale the first truly national U.S. eldercare brand. So is it ominous that the Feb. 20 merger...
Court tosses out citation for runny eggs, limits surveyors
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 01, 2013
Slapped with an Immediate Jeopardy citation for serving undercooked eggs to residents, a nursing home took its defense to a federal appeals court — and won. The court staked out limits on how government...
Also in the news for June 4, 2014 . . .
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 04, 2014
Surveyors to report infection control lapses to public health agencies … Home health providers stumble on infection control … Socializing improves seniors’ lungs … Medicare to cover...
Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are 10 times more common than Medicare data shows, research suggests
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 16, 2013
The Medicare program often paints a far rosier picture of hospitals’ pressure ulcer rates than is indicated by data collected bedside by nurses, according to a newly published study.