If you want to know what skilled care will look like in five years, consider what hospitals look like today.
An emerging union challenge: ‘micro’ management
By
John O'Connor
Mar 27, 2015
The National Labor Relations Board’s willingness to let smaller groups of people form “micro unions” has many operators on edge.
Don’t like the new ratings system? Welcome to our world
By
John O'Connor
Jun 19, 2017
The content in the angry letter sounded all-too familiar. “Flawed methodology” and “substantive errors” in CMS’s “chosen methodology.” Another nursing home organization...
Reversal of fortune revitalizes LTC funding source
By
John O'Connor
Mar 24, 2014
For many long-term care operators, shrinking demand is not likely be a problem in the decades ahead. After all, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day, and the pace is just heating up. But there can...
Dealing with that other f-word
By
John O'Connor
May 02, 2016
If there is one universal zero-tolerance policy at most facilities, it is this: Don’t fail. Executives and others who don’t meet prescribed goals tend to be quickly shown the door. It’s...
Food for thought: Maybe actual candy bars would be a better dining option
By
John O'Connor
Jun 02, 2014
It was while my mother was struggling with small-cell lung cancer and trying to stay above the 100-pound mark (unsuccessfully), that she first encountered dietary supplements. It’s fair to say they...
When LTC leaders delegate accountability
By
John O'Connor
Nov 19, 2012
What happens when delegation without accountability takes place? We saw a good example last week, when the Office of Inspector General released a damning report about excessive Medicare charges from nursing...
‘Doc fix’ might hurt a little
By
John O'Connor
Feb 24, 2012
President Obama has signed legislation that delays a pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients. That comes as good news for physicians, but not so much for nursing facilities.
For long-term care operators, every day is Labor Day
By
John O'Connor
Sep 04, 2018
Hope you had a nice Labor Day. For most of the country, it comes around once a year. But if you are leading a long-term care organization, it’s pretty much an everyday event.
Don’t be worried about Medicaid funding cuts — be very afraid
By
John O'Connor
Mar 13, 2017
The long-term care industry’s worst fears about what a Trump healthcare plan might contain have not just been met after last week’s unveiling, they have been far exceeded.