Why providers should be thankful for the federal staffing mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 06, 2024
There is undeniably a vein of good in the federal nursing home staffing mandate for providers otherwise fearing the worst.
The impact of survey delays on nursing home quality and consumer information
By
Steven Littlehale
May 24, 2024
In a column published by McKnight’s in December 2023, “Revamping CMS Survey Data Integration Amid Regulatory Lag in Nursing Home Oversight,” I urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
Bigfoot has been sighted in your facility, for real!
By
Joel VanEaton
May 14, 2024
According to Wikipedia, “Bigfoot, also commonly referred to as Sasquatch, is a large and hairy human-like mythical creature alleged by some to inhabit forests in North America, particularly in the Pacific...
Are CMS risk-based surveys enough to address the downfall of survey delays?
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 26, 2024
In April 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the testing of a risk-based survey (RBS) that streamlines the standard recertification process for high-performing nursing homes....
Making your community experience magical
By
Charles de Vilmorin
Jun 10, 2024
The long-term care and senior living experience has the potential to feel magical, and a number of Disney principles and practices can maximize efficiency, quality, and joy among residents and staff alike. ...
Rethinking onboarding to improve caregiver engagement and retention
By
Terra Vicario
May 06, 2024
Caregiver retention in post-acute care has historically been a challenge, but in recent years, the problem has become a crisis. According to the 2023 HCP Benchmarking Report, the turnover rate for...
The Northwoods, summer reflections and the ICD-10 connection
By
Joel VanEaton
Jun 11, 2024
When I was 11 and 12 years old, my older brother and I spent two summers with my grandparents, who lived on a lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. It was spectacular. They owned 10 acres of undeveloped,...
Laughter — thoughts on truly the best medicine
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jun 04, 2024
We’ve all heard it: “Laughter is the best medicine.” And I tend to agree with that for the most part. I mean, after surgery, I prefer something a little stronger and, honestly, laughing right after...
Trying to reason with hurricane season
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 29, 2023
I’m here in Florida trying to prepare for this hurricane we are supposed to get as I write this. You know, you can do your best to prepare but as you’re scurrying about, knowing it’s hurricane season,...
Gripped by uncertainty, skilled nursing providers just keep breathing
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 10, 2024
Uncertainty may very well be the defining outlook for skilled nursing providers in 2024. At the very least, it was the theme that dominated our annual survey attempting to capture your attitudes heading...