When Grancare Nursing Center owner and administrator Donna Zunker began envisioning a new rehab wing, she wanted more than a new addition.
Changing therapy trends spark launch of new company
By
Kristy Wikum
Jan 17, 2013
It’s no secret health care is changing and that we, as professionals, need to be a part of that change to improve the overall system. Part of this improvement involves helping patients quickly return...
Effectively screen those residents
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Feb 09, 2012
It’s not much of a surprise that many therapists are excellent at everything in their job — except screening.
Increasing length-of-stay
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jan 30, 2012
Length-of-stay — LOS — is one of those management reports that often leaves administrators and upper management bewildered. If you increase LOS, you essentially increase your census.
Here’s how you can effectively schedule rehab
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Nov 14, 2011
When the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented its latest rounds of new and stricter regulations, the groan was heard throughout nursing homes across the country. But, I have good news:...
How to make your nursing facility RAC-ready
By
Bryan Baird
Nov 08, 2011
As skilled nursing facilities adjust to the changes to Medicare that arrived early last month, they must be ready for Recovery Audit Contractors. RACs are independent auditors for the government that are...
Top therapy reimbursement for everyone: here’s how
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jul 18, 2011
If the Ultra High is the highest level of allowable treatment we may seek, it’s our professional obligation to clinically provide these levels of service to every patient.
Will music improve MDS 3.0 scores?
By
Dan Cohen, MSW
Jun 22, 2011
Using iPods to reconnect long-term care residents with their favorite music is a simple intervention with great upside potential and no side effects. They’re an inexpensive tool that can have a positive...
Sun Healthcare reports solid fourth-quarter, annual growth
Mar 05, 2010
Sun Healthcare on Wednesday reported “respectable” earnings growth of 7.7% for the fourth quarter of last year and 18.3% for 2009 overall. The nation’s sixth-largest skilled nursing provider...
New CMS rule to eliminate section of MDS, revise RUGs
Aug 25, 2009
A controversial new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid rule will recalibrate Medicare case mixes under the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) system. Specifically, it will eliminate a section...