Addressing environmental infection risks in long-term care facilities
By
Lori Strazdas
Jun 25, 2018
Between tightened regulatory requirements, increased public awareness of infection issues and an ever-growing body of research on infection prevention and control, the emphasis on HAI-prevention at the...
CMS announcement reminds changes are near regarding Nursing Home Compare, staffing levels
By
Marty Stempniak
Jun 25, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is reminding skilled nursing providers that they have until Sunday (July 1) to review their performance data before it will be displayed publicly on the Nursing...
Talking dual eligibles, MedPAC with a Harvard long-term care guru
By
Marty Stempniak
Jun 22, 2018
We all have something that we’ll admit to getting a little geeky about.
Suicide prevention in the workplace: What employers need to know
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 19, 2018
As I prepared for this article, I realized that we don’t hear much in the industry news outlets about suicide among our staff members. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
Study: Medication assistants can help nursing homes during a nurse staffing crunch
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 15, 2018
When facing a shortage of licensed nurses, certified nurse aides trained as medication assistants can be a viable alternative, according to a pilot study detailed in the Annals of Long Term Care.
Former nursing home owner’s ‘every nickel’ possibly at stake with class action ruling
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 14, 2018
A New York judge has cleared the way for residents of a troubled nursing home to pursue a class-action lawsuit against its former owners.
The 21st Century SNF: two paths forward
By
Anne Tumlinson
Jun 11, 2018
Many industry experts believe skilled nursing’s current marketshare challenges are temporary — that SNFs only have to hang on until demographic shifts kick in. But I worry about this strategy.
How to do it … Choosing sleep meds wisely
Jun 08, 2018
There is a dizzying array of over-the-counter and prescription-strength medications designed to encourage sleep. What many providers don’t fully realize, however, is these drugs are not meant as...
Ventas execs: SNFs less than 1%, and we’re not looking back
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 07, 2018
Between a 2015 spin off and the sale last year of almost all its remaining skilled nursing facilities, Ventas has just 1% of its business left in the segment.
Enhancing organizational communication improves outcomes, reduces adverse incidents
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Jun 05, 2018
There will always be adverse events in any health system, but strengthening communication between team members and between different levels within the organization can improve outcomes and reduce the likelihood...