Powerball is one of the great tests of work-based friendship in long-term care.Those 13 California nursing home nurses who came within one number of winning the whole $1.5 billion lottery are almost certainly...
Are narrow networks going to yield the best result?
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 11, 2015
In the future, the skilled nursing facility of choice (by other provider partners) won’t be defined by a single metric but rather by a multifaceted scale that considers resident needs, strengths...
What will it cost you to stay in the post-acute care game?
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 22, 2015
More than just collecting data, providers need to use standardized, nationally recognized measures. Especially in this era of ACOs and alternative payment models. In the past, many individual providers...
Sounding off on personal care alarms: Enough already
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Mar 18, 2014
We all know how technology is supposed to help us. And for the most part, it does. But sometimes, too much of something isn’t a good thing. I’m talking about personal care alarms. While they...
Survey and certification: Level that playing field!
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 11, 2012
As you engage in quality improvement efforts, put together data-driven marketing materials, complete a HUD refinance application, or talk with families and other community members take care to make sure...
Rise of COPD: Not hopeless
By
John W. Walsh
Jan 09, 2012
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become the third leading cause of death in the U.S. — 12 years earlier than predicted...
Moneyball in LTC – Do you know your numbers?
By
Neil Hefta
Dec 27, 2018
I challenge you to find your Moneyball questions as a hiring manager to create your best employee lineup. As a candidate wanting to get that game winning hit and landing that dream job, review your professional...
The power of biases
By
Martie Moore
Mar 26, 2018
Establishing processes to utilize root cause analysis for quality improvement is necessary, but it takes discipline. One of the first steps is to challenge your own beliefs about safety and quality failures.
Are your Ultra High RUGs putting you at risk?
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 22, 2016
The 2016 Office of Inspector General work plan calls for increased scrutiny of the Ultra High therapy billing category because the amount of this therapy delivered has increased over time, despite resident...
Loopholes to help you track Medicare Part B therapy billing
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Feb 06, 2013
Every time we send our patients to the hospital for rehab-related tests, exams or services, these services are billed to Medicare Part B, and, therefore, reduce our cap allowances. Any small oversights...