Making the case for universal, on-demand testing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
By
Tina Sandri
Apr 24, 2020
Nursing homes are cruise ships on land; they have conditions that create the Perfect Storm. Physically, even with communal dining and group activities cancelled, often residents are in shared bedrooms...
Have you learned how to play SPADEs in the new world of PDPM?
By
Joel VanEaton
Apr 22, 2020
EDITOR’S NOTE: For the new column on this topic, with all up-to-date observations, newly appearing Nov. 28, 2022, click here. So much is being written recently about the current trends that many...
Against Medical Advice (AMA) discharges: A multipronged approach
By
Rebekah Bray
Apr 14, 2020
“I don’t care … I’m leaving here!” “I didn’t want to come to rehab to start with.” “The hospital/doctor told me I had to come here on my insurance company wouldn’t pay for my hospital...
More equipment and less liability for COVID-19, please!
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Apr 04, 2020
Why are so many politicians, government regulators and even hospitals so willing to send nursing homes to the COVID-19 front lines with a shortage of proper equipment?
This too shall pass! PALTC is united
By
Arif Nazir, MD, CMD
Mar 30, 2020
When a crisis hits, besides shedding light on the system gaps, it also highlights the strengths of a community. The stresses of the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) have clearly highlighted the many...
Focus on life safety during the management of COVID-19
By
Stan Szpytek
Mar 24, 2020
Note: This story was updated on May 12 to reflect new regulatory changes. As skilled nursing facilities around the nation rise to the challenges of managing this current infectious disease outbreak, providers...
Long-term care needs to get creative to deal with coronavirus staffing impact
By
Patrick McCormick
Mar 17, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic is undeniably going to have a major impact on U.S. long-term care operators in the coming months. The virus is an unwelcome addition to an already long list of headaches for an...
My advice for life with coronavirus: Don’t forget to breathe
By
Tamar Abell
Mar 16, 2020
We are in crazy times. Actually, it’s a step beyond crazy times. The world has hunkered down and is watching this COVID-19 unravel. Nothing is the same. I never expected to receive a call from a close...
A mantra in wake of coronavirus: Stay home and save a life
By
Michael Wasserman
Mar 11, 2020
The year was 1985. I was an intern in the cardiac intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. A man who was the well-known voice for several animated television characters was laying on a gurney....
The five big trends affecting all skilled nursing facilities
By
Patrick McCormick
Mar 06, 2020
Skilled nursing facilities across the United States continue to face daunting challenges. The average SNF is only able to break even, reflecting increased competition, upward wage pressure in a tight labor...