New antibiotic could be a silver bullet against MRSA, researchers suggest
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 08, 2015
A newly discovered type of antibiotic could be an ideal weapon against potentially fatal infections that plague long-term care facilities, according to findings published yesterday in Nature. It might...
High staff turnover would lead to re-vote on union membership under proposed labor reform law
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 18, 2013
Nursing home workers would have to recertify their union representation after any major changes in staffing, if a newly proposed bill becomes law.
Current antipsychotics quality measure is too hard on long-term care providers, researchers argue
By
Tim Mullaney
Mar 26, 2014
An updated quality measure would paint a fairer picture of nursing homes’ antipsychotic prescribing practices, say researchers at Miami University in Ohio and Rutgers, the State University of New...
Consider innovative partnerships to reduce falls, experts say
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 23, 2013
Senior care stakeholders should consider creative partnerships to reduce falls, according to an expert on a National Council on Aging/IlluminAge Communication Partners webcast yesterday.
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...
Aggressive lobbying keeps seniors on Lucentis, prevents Medicare savings, USA TODAY article states
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 28, 2014
Lobbying efforts have ensured that long-term care residents and other seniors are commonly prescribed the expensive drug Lucentis, even though the less costly drug Avastin has proven equally effective,...
Extendicare mulls sell-off of U.S. operations amid decline
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 01, 2013
Extendicare, a major North American long-term care operator, may sell off its 158 U.S. facilities before the end of the year. The company’s move to separate its Canadian and U.S. businesses could...
CMS clarifies long-term care quality review in managed care models
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 23, 2013
Noting that long-term care increasingly is being provided through Medicaid managed care plans, the government has released guidance on how to monitor the quality of care in these systems.
HHS gives active shooter guidance for healthcare facilities, says there is ‘no perfect response’
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 10, 2014
Federal agencies recently issued guidance for how long-term care facilities and other healthcare providers should prepare for an active shooter emergency. The 33-page document covers threat assessment,...
HIPAA breach leads to first-ever ‘neglect’ settlement for a healthcare provider
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 19, 2014
A recent, first-of-its-kind HIPAA settlement demonstrates that long-term care and other providers need to be vigilant about updating software and other basic security tasks, officials say.