While I do not give hands-on care, as a director of purchasing I am acutely aware that each decision I help make touches the residents daily — it’s what I am most proud of in my role. My experience...
A five-star travesty of justice, poorly implemented
Dec 18, 2008
In rolling out its new five-star rating system for nursing homes, CMS has, once again, shown its inability to execute a good idea.
New nursing home inspection reporting creates questions for facilities
By
Christine Burke Worthen
Lily Shannon
Mar 06, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented a new policy on Jan. 25, 2023, which requires the nursing home industry to publicly post “disputed facility inspection results” on a government...
A new anti-bullying campaign?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 02, 2022
You see them everywhere. Anti-bullying campaigns. People are bullied for just about anything. For looking different, for different beliefs, for sexual orientations, for race, creed, color, religion, etc. ...
Ways to protect yourself against possible enactment of Employee Free Choice Act
By
Matthew Goodfellow
Sep 01, 2009
Even though Congress has temporarily tabled the Employee Free Choice Act, it could still act on the bill at some point. Here’s what the legislation would mean for long-term care facilities and actions...
Do you really want to be ‘average’?
By
Steven Littlehale
Jul 22, 2014
A provider client once said to me, “I don’t understand all this ‘statistical gobbledygook.’ Tell me why I should care and how I can actually use this.” It was a valid request.
Implementing an employee recognition program: Tips for success
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
May 29, 2014
I recently focused on the benefits of recognition and key points in choosing a recognition program. Now I’d like to address how to implement your chosen employee recognition program so that it becomes...
Don’t drop the ball when the music ends: creating the right discharge plans
By
Steven Littlehale
Jul 02, 2014
Providing a safe handoff during discharge from a skilled nursing facility is the operator’s responsibility. Unfortunately, it’s not happening enough. SNFs without effective discharge planning...
What is the grade of your referral sources?
By
Martie Moore
Nov 29, 2016
How does the performance of your referral sources impact your outcomes? Turns out … a lot. If you want to gain a better understanding of a hospital’s performance, The Leapfrog Group is a resource...
Why ‘Staffing to the Stars’ isn’t enough: How to make the right staffing decisions
By
Steven Littlehale
Aug 09, 2012
Operators should try to hire RNs whenever they have a vacant position for a licensed nurse — the increased hourly wage will be more than offset by the increased revenue and decreased costs. Nonetheless,...