Long-term care operators have produced a variety of clever, attractive calendars through the years. The illustrations have even shown simulated naked poses, with strategic signage saving the viewer from...
What is missing from Five Star?
By
Ilene Warner-Maron, Ph.D., RN-BC, NHA
Mar 07, 2016
The rating system has gone through additional changes recently with the addition of psychotropic medications for short and long-stay admissions as an additional quality indicator.
What can we learn from 1-Star facilities?
By
Ilene Warner-Maron, Ph.D., RN-BC, NHA
May 16, 2016
What are the common themes, if any, in facilities that have a 1-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services?
Short-term rehab pros and cons
Sep 11, 2012
These types of short-term rehab patients usually produce the highest reimbursement rates. However, if you’re a facility that struggles with admissions and census, be aware that the length of stay...
Planning for drug shortages in LTC
By
Troy Hilsenroth
Jan 27, 2014
Regional, national and local drug shortages are constantly changing. One month there may be a severe shortage of one item, while the next month healthcare providers have access to a steady supply. This...
The Five Star Report, once again, in the SNF spotlight
By
Steven Littlehale
Sep 24, 2014
The Five Star Quality Rating System takes the spotlight on the front page of the New York Times and the top of the news cycle, kicking off other publicity and political pressure. Regardless of any of the...
Looking at short stay assessments
By
Jan White
Sep 10, 2014
In reviewing the MDS, there are several areas to check related to short stay requirements. First, is the Start of Therapy assessment checked in A0310C? If there is not a 5-day scheduled assessment or readmission/return...
Navigating bundled payments
By
Dave Sedgwick
Apr 25, 2016
There’s a lot of hand-wringing in the post-acute world these days as observers try to predict just how material the constant changes to reimbursement will be for the operators.
Where were YOU when CMS changed the Five-Star rating system?
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 20, 2015
Some things will always stay etched in our mind. Where were you on February 12, when CMS publicly announced immediate changes to the Five Star Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes?
Nursing-home evictions raise bigger questions
By
Liza Berger
Aug 11, 2008
Some disturbing news appeared last week in The Wall Street Journal. The highly respected newspaper found that nursing homes are evicting long-term, frail residents—many on Medicaid—to make room for...