Ask the legal expert… about the benefits of compliance programs
By
Norris Cunningham
Dec 07, 2023
Many in long-term care view compliance programs with skepticism. The Affordable Care Act requires that organizations have written compliance programs, including ethical standards, policies and procedures...
Where’s the beef? At the end of another one of this facility’s motivational gems
By
Josh Henreckson
May 01, 2024
When Freeda first became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society – Davenport in Davenport, IA, she wasn’t sure she would ever walk again. In fact, in hindsight she jokingly described herself as being...
Union ‘demand’ brought about minimum staffing rule: Becerra
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 06, 2023
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra this week took part in a national union event supporting the proposed nursing home staffing rule, giving the labor audience and their leaders credit for...
C. diff linked to contaminated hospital beds, study finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 17, 2023
Make sure to disinfect beds properly after they are used by someone with Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff. According to a new study, staying in a bed previously used by a person with C. diff raises...
Anticipated Five-Star updates must drive changes to daily operations: expert
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 26, 2024
Upcoming changes to Five-Star rating methodology will require long-term care providers to overhaul several key daily processes related to staffing and quality measure reporting, an informatics specialist...
Certain populations to receive Paxlovid free through 2024, under new agreement
By
Kristen Fischer
Oct 17, 2023
Paxlovid, an oral drug that treats COVID-19, will begin to enter the commercial market starting next month. At the same time, the US federal government is making sure that the country has enough supply,...
Workforce improvement No. 1 target in final OIG report on nursing home pandemic effects
By
Josh Henreckson
Mar 01, 2024
Steep challenges faced by nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hinder their ability to provide quality care and adequate staffing, according to new report findings from the US Department...
Trial links poor hand strength to higher death risk
By
Kristen Fischer
Nov 09, 2023
Taking the time to assess the strength of an individual’s hand grip can give clinicians and healthcare workers insight into a person’s risk for dying — and possibly lower that risk, according to...
Report: Caregivers must team up with workers to help people with Parkinson’s, dysphagia
By
Kristen Fischer
Nov 08, 2023
A new report calls on clinicians, other healthcare workers and loved ones to provide better awareness of and care for people with Parkinson’s disease who have difficulty swallowing. The need is critical,...
Nursing homes left in the dark when utilities cut power to prevent wildfires
By
Kate Ruder, KFF Health News
Jun 10, 2024
As preemptive power cuts become more widespread, nursing homes are being forced to evaluate their preparedness. But it shouldn’t be up to the facilities alone, according to industry officials and academics.