Maybe you don’t want to be in that preferred network …
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 23, 2017
When it comes to contemplating joining caregiving networks, maybe you have more in common with the hospital than you think. Poor-performing hospitals tend to coexist in the same market as poor-performing...
Hospital, ambulance company sued after patient sent to nursing home 300 miles away
By
Jan 23, 2017
The sister of a nursing home patient is suing a Georgia hospital, physician and ambulance service amid claims that her brother was discharged and sent to a nursing home 300 miles away.
Is your rehab partner wearing blinders?
By
Renee Kinder
Jan 19, 2017
Never, ever bet on a horse wearing blinders. Why, you ask? Because, of course, a horse wearing blinders must be irresponsible, uncontrollable and, worst of all, completely unaware of its surroundings....
The life-changing magic of ABBA-ing up
By
Gary Tetz
Jan 12, 2017
Even though I’ve decided not to make my usual naïve New Year’s recommendations to veteran long-term care professionals, maybe a quick review of some important industry news from the profession’s...
With so many political changes to consider, keep your eyes on this
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 12, 2017
Judging recent national political events by any measure, one can come to a seemingly obvious conclusion: A lot of change is in the air. But what a lot of people aren’t talking about is this: The...
What to do when a POA agent doesn’t pay
By
William W. Sleeth III
Jan 11, 2017
Long-term care facilities traditionally take steps to ensure that residents have a financial and a healthcare power of attorney in place upon admittance. But what happens when an agent named under a POA...
SNF fined $120,000 for not notifying doctor of resident’s heart attack
By
Jan 11, 2017
An Illinois skilled nursing facility is facing nearly $120,000 in state and federal fines after health officials said it failed to notify a doctor of a resident’s heart attack.
Let them eat cake!
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 10, 2017
As our long-stay residents age in place, often we see them get to a point where we begin to notice that they are reducing their intake. Often, they are prescribed less-than-desirable-tasting supplements....
A two-pronged approach to protecting SNF residents from influenza
By
William Schaffner, M.D.
Jan 09, 2017
Good news: More skilled nursing facility staff are getting their annual influenza vaccine than ever before. Last season, nearly 70% were vaccinated, up from 64% a year earlier. Bad news: SNF staff still...
Attention bundled payment critics: Curb your enthusiasm
By
John O'Connor
Jan 09, 2017
A recent study found that bundling Medicare payments can dramatically cut costs without sacrificing quality. But the man likely to be the next Health and Human Services secretary is no fan of this new...