Q: We’ve been trying to fill an open MDS position and have an LPN applicant who would be great in the role. Can an LPN fulfill requirements and sign assessments?
Ask the care expert: How to stop residents from picking at moles or bumps on their arms?
By
Sherrie Dornberger
Nov 11, 2019
We have several residents who are consistently getting bruises on their arms from completing their ADLs or bumping into something. Even when rubbing on lotions, or scratching an itch on their arm, they...
Ask The Treatment Expert: Wound odor and antibiotics
By
Jeri Lundgren
Mar 07, 2019
Antibiotics should not be started solely due to an odor in a wound. First, clarify whether the odor is associated with the drainage or the wound bed. Always remove the dressing and irrigate the wound thoroughly.
Ask the nursing expert … about preparing for respiratory illness season
By
Amy Stewart
Nov 07, 2023
Q: How can we prepare for the coming respiratory illness season?
Ask the legal expert: Can we go after this contractor if the family wants to sue us or regulators want...
By
John Durso
Jul 01, 2021
A contractor did some shoddy work installing flooring that we didn’t catch right away and a patient wound up falling and injuring herself. Can we go after this contractor if the family wants to sue us...
Ask the payment expert: Was the 60-day break in stay covered in the blank waiver?
By
Caryn Adams
Jul 06, 2020
I was denied payment for a Medicare resident who did not have a 60-day break in stay. Wasn’t this covered in the blanket waiver?
States hold the key to new MDS item sets, expert says
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 01, 2020
Providers’ responses to an update of MDS item sets 3.0 (version 1.17.2) will largely depend on what their respective state Medicaid agencies will require under the new format, a payment expert said.
Ask the nursing expert … about patient transitions
By
Amy Stewart
May 03, 2023
My facility is working with home health agencies to improve discharges. How can we smooth patients’ transition to home?
Ask the care expert: Any good team building ideas?
By
Sherrie Dornberger
Jun 01, 2022
I am looking at some team building things to do to get my staff working better together. Any ideas that are fun, but not physical things like rock climbing?
Ask The Payment Expert: How can I boost my staffing star rating?
By
Caryn Adams
Feb 05, 2019
There still is widespread confusion around the staffing portion of the star rating. The methodology for calculation of this changed as of April 2018.