Organization-wide quality improvement is a top priority of savvy, resident-centric long-term care operators – and its value and importance has become even more magnified in light of the Centers for...
Most states are not planning more Medicaid cuts in FY 2012
Feb 13, 2012
Most states do not foresee major mid-year cuts in Medicaid for fiscal year 2012, according to a Kaiser Health survey. While states authorized spending growth at a modest overall average of 2.2%, many states...
As states cut Medicaid funds, nursing home group proposes bad debt fix
Feb 01, 2012
Forty states have either frozen or cut Medicaid-financed nursing home care for seniors between 2009 and 2011, a new survey has found.
CMS warns providers not to skip resident interviews
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 01, 2012
Skilled nursing operators, apparently overwhelmed or defiant, have not been completing resident interviews as mandated by the new MDS 3.0 resident assessment tool, a top official with the Centers for Medicare...
No pain = all gain
By
Julie Williamson
Feb 01, 2012
When it comes to dispensing pain relief meds to residents, the old methods are no longer viewed as sufficient. Better medication management is key.
Lack of geographic mobility among nurses hurts access
By
Mary Gustafson
Feb 01, 2012
Nurses’ lack of mobility — the relationship between where they received training and where they ultimately end up making their living — can lead to recruiting challenges, a study finds. This...
CMS: Providers caught skipping resident interviews for new evaluations
Jan 20, 2012
Skilled nursing operators must complete resident interviews for MDS 3.0 evaluations, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services official reminded providers Thursday on a national conference call.
States’ Medicaid eligibility and enrollment remained stable in 2011, report says
Jan 18, 2012
Despite heavily burdened state budgets, states’ Medicaid eligibility and enrollment was stable during 2011, thanks partly to the Affordable Care Act, a new report finds.
Ask the nursing expert: Is goal-setting realistic for nursing departments?
By
Anne Marie Barnett
Jan 03, 2012
Anne Marie Barnett, RN, President, Maryland NADONA/LTC
Study shows pay cuts expected to cost jobs
Jan 03, 2012
OHIO — The state’s skilled nursing facilities have shed or plan to shed 2,800 jobs in the wake of recent Medicare and Medicaid cuts, new survey results show.