After persistent citations, California nursing home company agrees to hire more staff, pay for oversight
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 20, 2013
A California nursing home operator must increase staffing levels, improve quality of care and pay for an independent monitor, according to a recent settlement with the state’s Office of the Attorney...
Taking steps to prevent Clostridium difficile infections
By
Irena Kenneley, Ph.D.
Feb 15, 2013
The numbers are in and they are grim. There are 165,000 cases, $1.3 billion in excess costs, and 9,000 deaths from Clostridium difficile infections that are healthcare-acquired in the United States annually.
Honeywell security flaw shows danger of controlling facility systems via the Internet
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 15, 2013
Computer security experts recently found a flaw in a widely used Honeywell product, allowing them to take unauthorized control of buildings’ key systems. The findings underscore that caution is essential...
New oral medication shows promise for more quickly treating MRSA skin infections, researchers find
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 14, 2013
A new oral antibiotic may effectively treat MRSA-related skin infections more quickly than the only oral drug currently approved, according to research published Wednesday in the Journal of the American...
Technology in the nursing home
By
Michael Defrancesco
Feb 13, 2013
Not too long ago, the mortar and pestle were the mechanism of choice to crush pills. Today, the average facility has to crush pills for around 30% of its residents. Now there is an easier way to crush...
Happy February
By
Elizabeth Newman
Feb 12, 2013
February seems like an appropriate month to ask the fundamental question: What does it take to be happy?
How consistent CNA assignments will help residents
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 07, 2013
Consistent assignments for CNAs are discussed and implemented more frequently than they used to be. For the most part, research studies speak to the positive attributes of this model of care. From improved...
Loopholes to help you track Medicare Part B therapy billing
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Feb 06, 2013
Every time we send our patients to the hospital for rehab-related tests, exams or services, these services are billed to Medicare Part B, and, therefore, reduce our cap allowances. Any small oversights...
California chain selects COMS Interactive software
Feb 06, 2013
Windsor, a California-based long-term care organization, recently selected the COMS Interactive (Clinical Outcomes Management System) Daylight IQ™ product suite to complement its disease management program.
Lack of nursing home input compromised obesity-lifespan studies, researchers say
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 06, 2013
The exclusion of nursing home residents should cast serious doubt on studies showing a positive relationship between obesity and lifespan, according to a new report.