Telepsychiatry helps reduce antipsychotics, others’ use
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 14, 2019
An Encounter Telehealth analysis of 40 rural skilled nursing facility partners in Iowa revealed a 6.7% reduction in the use of antipsychotics following 14 months of psychiatric telehealth services. Some...
CMS delays MDS 3.0 push
By
Liza Berger
Apr 01, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has delayed the release of an updated Minimum Data Set — another indicator of how the agency was refocusing its resources on efforts to stem the coronavirus...
No wonder he left Congress
By
John O'Connor
Dec 05, 2023
If it seems like it’s silly season again in Washington, maybe that’s because it is. Congress can take a bow.
Life-changing treatment helps SNF resident communicate with son again
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 05, 2020
It took an Illinois skilled nursing facility nearly a year to get an Augmentative & Alternative Communication device. But the effort was worth it since it helped a resident with multiple sclerosis communicate...
Resident photo use OK’d
Mar 04, 2020
MINNESOTA — Nursing home providers, take note: A Minnesota senior living facility was not in violation of a state health records law after a nurse’s aide posted a photo of a resident on social media,...
Having My Say | When it feels like content is king, bring in the ‘X’
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 01, 2022
Given the chance to question a Washington correspondent for a major broadcast news organization recently, long-term care leaders didn’t drill down on budget reconciliations, Medicare coverage or healthcare...
COVID-19 testing halted
Jun 01, 2020
Massachusetts — State officials temporarily paused a program that provided coronavirus testing kits to long-term care providers in an effort to improve quality control problems, a state official said...
Admin pay hits $111,000-plus
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 04, 2019
Nursing home administrators and other top executives saw larger than average salary increases over the past year, indicating a possible effort by operators to keep hard-to-find talent in-house.
Ask the nursing expert: Should I complete an Interim Payment Assessment if a Medicare Part A resident...
By
Amy Stewart
Mar 01, 2021
Should I complete an Interim Payment Assessment (IPA) if a Medicare Part A resident becomes COVID-positive during a skilled therapy stay?
Transport rates for portable X-rays in peril for 11 states
By
Liza Berger
Feb 02, 2020
Nursing home providers in 11 states and Washington, D.C., may have to send more residents to the hospital to undergo X-rays, if a change from a Medicare Administrative Contractor goes into effect this...