Antipsychotic drug use correlated to staffing levels
By
McKnight's Staff
May 01, 2012
While antipsychotic drug use overuse has decreased since 2005, nearly a quarter of U.S. nursing homes are still giving many residents the medications against recommendations, a Boston Globe analysis reveals.
MDS 3.0 updates strike
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 02, 2012
At least providers can’t say they weren’t warned about major changes to the new MDS 3.0 and other resident assessment tools that started this month.
GAO: Watch SNFs closer
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 02, 2012
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services needs to improve the tools it uses to evaluate the quality of nursing home care, a federal report asserts.
Bridging the gaps
By
John Andrews
Apr 02, 2012
Information technology initiatives bolster long-term care providers’ ability to trace and evaluate the quality of care they deliver to their residents.
IRS should supply workers with electronic means of reporting healthcare data, payroll professional says
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 02, 2012
A government-mandated request for additional healthcare data may result in the Internal Revenue Service requiring another form beyond a W-2 for employees, a payroll expert said last week.
Bundled payments and dual-eligibles bring opportunities to long-term care operators, experts say
Mar 29, 2012
Gainsharing and caring for dual eligibles are hot topics for healthcare providers — and rightfully so — experts said Thursday.
Medicare auditors can request twice as many SNF medical records
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 20, 2012
Medicare recovery audit contractors (RACs) can now request twice as many resident medical records than previously allowed, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Report: CMS needs to improve oversight of nursing home quality program
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 05, 2012
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services needs to make serious improvements in the tools it uses to evaluate the quality of nursing home care, a federal report reveals.
Omnicare unveils prescribing app for controlled substances
By
John O'Connor
Mar 01, 2012
Omnicare recently announced the launch of a new application for controlled substances. Prescribers — including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants — can electronically transmit...
Gay workers can fight for LTC insurance
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 01, 2012
Same-sex partners who want to participate in a state long-term care program can move forward with a federal lawsuit, a federal judge has said.