I recently won a case against state surveyors and I learned something new… again. The surveyors were adamant that the facility neglected a resident, and cited violations of policies, and criticized...
Ban on arbitration of sexual assault, harassment disputes will hit LTC
By
Norris Cunningham
Barb Killian
Feb 28, 2022
Congress passed H.R. 4445 on February 7, 2022. The bill, titled “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021,” is important to long-term care facilities that enter...
Ideas on smart growth
By
Lisa McCracken
May 13, 2014
Grow or die. Some may disagree to the boldness of this statement, but it is true. An organization may be a strong, solid operation, but if status quo is a comfort zone, at some point, the surrounding space...
Swearing good, drinking bad
By
Gary Tetz
Feb 23, 2023
Last time out here, I gave long-term care professionals official permission to swear, making the case, with strong scientific support, that an occasional obscenity is actually healthy. I assume for most...
The Jimmo scorecard and CMS compliance update
By
Steven Littlehale
Nov 25, 2014
In some ways, 2014 has been a monumental year. But it’s not over yet, especially with regard to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services steps regarding the historic Jimmo settlement agreement signed...
Identifying, selecting and installing EHR systems
Mar 10, 2014
The successful deployment of an EHR is too hard and too important to be “part” of someone’s job. An organization must make the commitment to having full-time staff leading the implementation...
Recognizing and fixing burnout among SNF rehabilitation therapists
By
Richard White
Apr 13, 2022
As COVID-19 and its variants continue to be of concern among leadership at skilled nursing facilities throughout the country, virus protection for our residents and their families persists. Although strict...
Embracing the RAI manual
By
Joel VanEaton
Jul 01, 2019
The PDPM RAI Manual is here, Now what? We’ve had a little over a month to process the RAI manual, but there’s no denying that this year is different. Generally, the RAI Manual details the changes...
Infectious diseases specialists vital in LTC facilities
By
Russell M. Petrak, M.D.
Aug 18, 2014
Coping with the complicated management of infectious diseases is among the many challenges facing long-term care facilities today. Residents with multiple comorbidities often are prescribed broad-spectrum...
Essential steps for treating those with COPD
By
John W. Walsh
Mar 05, 2014
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, presently incurable respiratory illness that is characterized by airflow obstruction. For long-term care professionals, knowledge about every...