Experts say full staff engagement, training crucial to improving dementia care
By
Jun 17, 2015
Specialized training could help staff better handle disturbances, and decrease the need for antipsychotics, according to experts affiliated with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
New staffing rules redux
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 05, 2015
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule for skilled nursing facilities in fiscal 2016 contains some “must read” information about new staff reporting requirements.
Flu keeps the heat on
By
John Andrews
Jun 05, 2015
Vaccinations and the return of previously extinguished diseases such as measles were all over the news media this past winter, generating discussion about how vulnerable the population is becoming to new...
Ask the payment expert … about quality metrics
By
Patricia Boyer
Jun 05, 2015
A metric is a measurement of some sort of factor. For a quality metric, we are measuring quality in your facility. Companies measure performance against quality standards to determine whether they’re...
State News for June 2015
Jun 05, 2015
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) wants to reduce nursing home reimbursement rates by 3% and raise providers’ bed tax ceiling by 0.5%. But she also hopes to sweeten the deal with an ambitious offer...
Latest dehydration tool is a pressurized fluid reservoir
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jun 05, 2015
Despite dozens of studies on dehydration in the elderly, little research offers conclusive advice on how to solve the problem. A new device hopes to help by using a system that sprays high volumes of fluid...
OIG to investigate Part A billing, ED transfer practices by nursing homes
By
May 29, 2015
The Office of Inspector General released its Fiscal Year 2015 Mid-Year Update this week, and it includes several initiatives important to long-term care operators.
Hospice spouses less depressed: study
By
Holly Petrovich
May 27, 2015
Symptoms of depression are less common in the spouses of hospice residents when compared to families where hospice was not involved, a recent study suggests.
Analytics group changes name
May 19, 2015
Analytics company Symphony Performance Health has changed its name to SPH Analytics, the company announced.
Sleep deprived, overweight shift workers at higher risk for diabetes: Study
By
John Hall
May 19, 2015
New university-based research claims employees such as nursing home caregivers, factory and shipping workers who work outside normal 9 a.m.-5 p.m. schedules could be suffering a disproportionate share...