2024 US News nursing home rankings put staffing in the driver’s seat
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 14, 2023
For the first time since U.S. News & World Report began rating nursing homes in 2009, the magazine has added a direct care measure to evaluate the role of registered nurses in patient care.
Good Samaritan CEO: Our employee vaccine mandate will attract job candidates
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 26, 2021
Days after announcing a systemwide COVID-19 vaccination mandate, the leader of Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society insisted the policy will ultimately help the massive skilled nursing and senior...
‘More than warm bodies’ needed to address LTC workforce crisis, congresswoman, industry experts advise
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 20, 2021
A proposed federal staffing minimum would require most nursing homes to boost RN hiring and put RNs and LPNs in greater direct care roles. It’s a move the bill’s House sponsor calls necessary to support...
Making major portfolio investments, Omega bristles at staffing minimum
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 04, 2023
Omega Healthcare Investors has stocked its pipeline with skilled nursing deals and already executed the purchase of five West Virginia facilities this quarter. But leaders with the real estate investment...
Agemo sell-off shows Omega’s willingness to move on from troubled operators
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 04, 2022
Omega Healthcare Investors is giving less flexibility to its struggling operators as the pandemic and related staffing challenges wind on, limiting rent deferrals in favor of transitioning operators and...
Next nursing home reform target: Emergency preparedness?
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 02, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may soon intensify its reform agenda focus on emergency planning, one of many areas targeted in President Biden’s 21-point nursing home plan unveiled earlier...
‘Heightened risk’ as class action settlements spike, but arbitration offers critical protection
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 17, 2024
The number of class action settlements in 2023 outpaced predictions for the second year in a row, which will likely incentivize the plaintiffs bar to be even more aggressive in seeking class standing,...
New research ties unions to lower nursing home staff turnover. Could they be a key partner ahead of federal...
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 13, 2023
Union representation is linked to a significant reduction in nursing home staff turnover, according to a first-of-its-kind research letter published today in JAMA Network Open.
‘Audits are back,’ and COVID-19 care is in the hot seat
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 21, 2021
Flexibilities granted to providers during the ongoing public health emergency are likely to result in increased medical reviews and automated denials, a therapy billing specialist is warning.
These 10 steps needed to save skilled nursing, experts say
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 24, 2022
An ambitious, 10-pronged reform package that includes cash infusions and regulatory fixes is needed to head off another COVID-scale tragedy in long-term care, according to two leading healthcare researchers.