EXTRA: CMS publishes rule outlining final staffing requirements
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 22, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it would exempt nursing homes from having registered nurse coverage for up to 8 out of 24 hours a day “under certain circumstances,” unveiling...
Therapy should be more than productivity
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Apr 22, 2024
“I’m too sick for therapy today.” “Come back later.” “Leave me alone.” If you’ve worked in long-term care (or hospitals or LTACHs or acute rehab hospitals), you’ve heard...
BREAKING: CMS increases hours to 3.48 in final staffing rule
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 22, 2024
Nursing homes will be required to deliver 3.48 hours daily of direct patient care under a final staffing mandate issued this morning.
Youthful self-perception boosts older adults’ health, study reveals
By
Donna Shryer
Apr 22, 2024
In the age-old quest for the fountain of youth, a new study reports that adults between the ages of 50 and 80 who see themselves as looking more youthful may also have a more positive outlook toward the...
Nursing homes weigh pros, cons of new weight loss drugs as limited Medicare coverage kicks in
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 22, 2024
A recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to cover popular new weight loss drugs that provide additional health benefits could be a “game changer” for potentially thousands...
Medicare audits ‘ramping up’ with isolation coding in the crosshairs
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 22, 2024
Auditors are paying special attention to isolation and quarantine coding amid already heightened Medicare nursing home audits that are expected to increase in coming months, experts warn.
An MDS affair — or RFI — to remember
By
Joel VanEaton
Apr 19, 2024
I’m a sucker for classic movies. My parents made sure I grew up watching black and whites of the likes of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Gene Autry, John Wayne,...
Prep for May 6-9 ACHCA annual meeting underway
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 19, 2024
Final preparations are nearing for the 2024 ACHCA Convocation and Expo, which will be held May 6-9 in Myrtle Beach, SC.
AI could play role in preventing prescribing of unnecessary drugs in older adults
By
Kristen Fischer
Apr 19, 2024
A new study finds that artificial intelligence could encourage doctors to stop prescribing drugs that aren’t necessary — especially in older folks who tend to be on multiple medications. The report...
Whistleblowers get another chance to fine-tune 8-year-old allegations against Genesis
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 19, 2024
More than eight years after first alleging False Claims Act violations against Genesis Healthcare and Sun Healthcare, a group of whistleblowers was given more time to refine its case.