Every year about this time, I tell you eagerly and often weepily about “The Trip.” The one where 12 veterans, many of them from World War II and living in long-term care, get to hop on a plane...
From volume to value: The conversation now applies to staffing
By
Steven Littlehale
Aug 21, 2015
It’s all you hear about in healthcare today: from Volume to Value. With the July 30 release of the PPS proposed rule, we see how this discussion now applies to staffing.
Strategies to succeed in a challenging environment
By
Bruce Van Horn
May 24, 2013
The industry can survive and thrive by transforming itself, by embracing wellness for employees and residents and by mounting an effective PR campaign to highlight the importance of long-term care industry....
Operate with an eye on quality, not the next survey cycle
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 16, 2012
The anxiety associated with an impending survey should be offset by the fact that the nursing facility holds the secret to its own success – the knowledge of its customers.
Engage in SNF mythbusting
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Oct 19, 2018
We all know about the rumored, accepted and commonly used practices that relate to rehab in the skilled nursing Facility, but do we really know if they’re valid and supported by a regulation? Yes, speech...
This smart pill is hard to swallow
By
Gary Tetz
Nov 30, 2017
Reading the disturbing news in McKnight’s about the ingestible digital antipsychotic pill that tracks patient data has me all befuddled. I wish I could swallow a pill that would tell me how to feel...
Culture shift starts with employee investment
By
Teresa Buchman, RN
Jan 15, 2015
Providing the highest quality care to our geriatric long-term care residents and short-term stay rehabilitation patients has been a major focus and investment throughout our organization. Our goal, from...
5 rules of the rehab screen
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Feb 25, 2014
What is the purpose of a rehabilitation screen? Very simply, we attempt to identify long-term residents’ needs and possible rehab potential. Somehow, we don’t really have an industry standard...
Dear, sweet stubborn grandmother!
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jul 09, 2012
I love my grandma dearly. She’s still going strong, living independently in a ranch-style house. But while her stubbornness may be the reason she lives such full and active lifestyle, it’s...
Has CMS gone too far?
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Sep 27, 2011
Previously, I’ve explained my position on the new rehab regulation changes to take effect on Saturday (Oct. 1). However, has CMS gone too far this time?