This week, an infection control group issued a new, more urgent message about employee vaccinations: Facilities should require flu vaccinations for workers with direct contact with patients. And employees...
Say the right thing
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 12, 2013
When my mother was undergoing treatment for breast cancer around 15 years ago, a good friend of hers would call and start crying.
ManorCare panel: laudable gesture or lip service?
By
Liza Berger
May 13, 2008
Last Friday, I wrote about a new quality committee formed by HCR ManorCare. I immediately received some negative feedback about the company’s move. The Service Employees International Union was quick...
The secret to success sits in dining services
By
Elizabeth Newman
Oct 09, 2014
By the end of the day Tuesday, after a week full of educational sessions, it took a lot to break through the clutter in my brain. That moment happened when Kyle Henderson made a slightly throw-away comment...
Why the Supreme Court will vote in favor of the Affordable Care Act
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 03, 2012
You may not like — nay, hate — the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Supreme Court may agree with you. That doesn’t mean the justices will strike it down.
CLASS Act math
By
Liza Berger
Dec 01, 2009
If you are confused about the financial implications of the highly publicized CLASS Act, you are not alone. If it’s supposed to be solvent and actuarially sound over the long term, why is the program...
VP nominee Ryan a saving grace?
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 15, 2012
Now that the Olympics are over, let politics take center stage again. Clearly, no one is interested in winning the silver medal when it comes to the race for U.S. president. But interest in second bananas...
How to make a movie about long-term care
By
John O'Connor
Aug 12, 2016
What if Hollywood made a big-budget movie about long-term care? Would it be about a heroic worker? Nah, too cheesy. How about a bitter resident who finally finds peace in a facility? Needs more grit and...
The need for semi-skilled workers in LTC
By
Elizabeth Newman
Apr 29, 2016
What do the meat and poultry industry and long-term care have in common, other than often dealing with turkeys? It turns out both have challenges in hiring semi-skilled workers, which is addressed in a...
Catching nurse impostors — if you can
By
Jul 11, 2017
If you’ve ever seen the movie “Catch Me If You Can,” you’ve probably wondered how in the world the protagonist could get away with his scheme of working jobs he had no qualifications...