Supervisor let resident die, covered it up, state charges
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 01, 2014
A nursing home supervisor in New York allegedly failed to administer CPR or direct staff members to do so, criminally allowing a resident to die, the state attorney general’s office has charged.
A ‘special’ feeling that no provider wants to have
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 01, 2014
As spring blends into summer, some nursing home operators are going to start feeling more heat. The federal government is moving to reclaim some form of “normalcy” after sequestration cuts...
‘Special’ times ahead for more nursing homes, and that’s not good
By
James M. Berklan
May 28, 2014
As spring blends into summer, some nursing home operators are going to start feeling more heat — and it will have nothing to do with the weather. They will be given places on the proverbial hot seat....
CMS wants tighter oversight for Medicare prescriptions
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 01, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has seen enough and wants to gain more control over drug-prescribing practices for the Medicare Part D program.
Nursing home lobbying merger was a long time in coming
By
James M. Berklan
May 30, 2013
Almost immediately after the 2006 schism that threatened to fully tear them fully apart, some stakeholders wanted to see the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care remain united with the American Health...
Long-term care providers ready to deal with ‘doc fix’
By
James M. Berklan
May 15, 2013
If you hang around long enough, you learn there are only two things long-term care providers fear after Republicans and Democrats. That would be hospitals and doctors.
Looking to open eyes about ‘observations’
By
James M. Berklan
May 01, 2013
Bully for provider groups pulling out the stops to draw attention to the ludicrous mishandling of “observation stay” designations by many hospitals. One prong of the plan is to have providers...
Will there be a ‘real’ CMS administrator soon? It’s looking so
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 03, 2013
If you’re a gambling person, it looks like the odds just got a whole lot better for Marilyn Tavenner becoming the next administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. That’s...
Painkiller distribution could be curtailed
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 02, 2013
An advisory panel has recommended making it more difficult for long-term care residents and others to receive certain painkillers. Providers criticize the proposal, saying it could leave seniors suffering...
Stereotypes predict the odds of rehab success
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 01, 2013
If you’re like me, you’re a big believer in the saying “Attitude determines altitude.” Eldercare professionals should have this embedded in their minds — for their good and the...