Agency staffing on the rise? Believe it — and plan for it
By
Steven Littlehale
Nov 21, 2016
The use of contract agency staff to fill nurse aide and licensed nurse vacancies is escalating. This increase is seen across many states, not to mention across the nation as a whole. Yes, we have a well-documented...
CMS sneaks a trick in with its treats
By
Steven Littlehale
Oct 21, 2015
With so many regulatory changes kicking in on Oct. 1, it’s no wonder providers were likely too distracted to notice the latest “trick” by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Does caring for specialty populations hurt your public profile?
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 20, 2016
Many skilled nursing facilities are de facto specialty care centers with a disproportionately large number of certain types of residents. This scenario, unfortunately, can translate into a liability in...
Compliance: A game of follow the leader
By
Steven Littlehale
May 27, 2015
Do you remember playing follow the leader as a kid? You just followed the person in front of you and did exactly the same thing. And you did your best. Compliance today is a bit like playing follow the...
Big Data: What it is — and isn’t
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 19, 2015
“Big Data” is a hot catch phrase nowadays because it can empower providers and organizations unlike anything else. But the term is often misused. Here’s what you ought to know about it.
This blog makes me think of ‘Seinfeld’
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 27, 2017
Jerry Seinfeld’s successful nine-season comedy sitcom was a “show about nothing,” yet it won more than 40 international awards. Although this blog might not receive such international...
Are we really treating depression in our nursing homes?
By
Steven Littlehale
Sep 23, 2019
A star of “The Sound of Music” probably wouldn’t be hitting the right notes if she were trying to be admitted to a U.S. nursing home nowadays.
Ball girl, stand down!
By
Steven Littlehale
Aug 24, 2018
There is something you and your team must do immediately, the success of which will make or break your transition to the government’s new payment model. Relax. Refresh. Recharge. Only with a clear...
Have you met Jimmo’s stepbrother Jimmo?
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 21, 2017
Therapy utilization will be as scrutinized as much as it ever has been, even though the “improvement standard” has once again been deemed deceased.
The value of attending national Open Door Forum calls
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 23, 2014
I often describe the monthly CMS Open Door Forum call as a monthly staff meeting; if you miss the meeting you better read the minutes to see what projects were assigned to you!