The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services brought out its equivalent of a brass band and confetti machine Tuesday to tout a new provider payment strategy. One could almost hear strains of “Happy...
The nursing home survey system is about to get a much closer look
By
John O'Connor
Aug 29, 2014
You had to know this was coming. Earlier this week, the New York Times reported that many nursing homes are submitting massaged staffing and quality indicator data to the feds. The alleged reason? So facilities...
It’s not just you: Everything’s hard about Phase 2 Requirements of Participation
By
James M. Berklan
May 23, 2018
An interesting phenomena occurred Tuesday when we asked providers for the toughest part of complying with Phase 2 provisions of the Requirements of Participation.
Providers rewarded for sticking with it
By
James M. Berklan
May 02, 2018
One could excuse long-term care providers if they’re walking around looking over their shoulders right now. I can personally identify with that.
Reducing antipsychotics one resident at a time
By
John O'Connor
Dec 02, 2013
Like many bad habits, the overuse of antipsychotics is not going down without a fight. Still, there are reasons for long-term optimism.
‘Back to normal’ already here for nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 09, 2021
Skilled nursing operators pondering when things would get back to normal need no longer wonder. In many ways, you’re already there.
Hold on. This is gonna hurt.
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 10, 2021
I was listening earlier this week to an update on federal vaccine mandate challenges, which seem likely to send us on a roller coaster ride of emotions, preparedness and, potentially, disorganization,...
CMS and providers have reason to celebrate
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 16, 2016
I encourage providers to pause and pat themselves on the back. That’s because 30-day hospital readmission rates have dropped in all states except one over the past five years.
Why the survey system may never be fixed
By
John O'Connor
Sep 05, 2014
Given certain realities about skilled-nursing facility inspections, we should not be wondering why cheating has occurred. Rather, we should be amazed it hasn’t been more rampant.
Hitting the road for rural respect
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 17, 2023
This week takes me on a road trip, but I assure you there’s no VW bus with a dashboard full of party snacks.