Establishing processes to utilize root cause analysis for quality improvement is necessary, but it takes discipline. One of the first steps is to challenge your own beliefs about safety and quality failures.
A Baptist Home blast from the past
By
Elizabeth Newman
Aug 30, 2017
Coming from a long line of folks who hate to throw anything away, culling more than 250 books this summer from our house has been physically painful. But the cleaning also has resulted in some unexpected...
Are your Ultra High RUGs putting you at risk?
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 22, 2016
The 2016 Office of Inspector General work plan calls for increased scrutiny of the Ultra High therapy billing category because the amount of this therapy delivered has increased over time, despite resident...
Want better outcomes? Work less
By
Sep 22, 2015
It’s no wonder that the latest experiment in shorter, more efficient work days comes out of Europe.
Transforming a non-profit system
By
Betsy Rust
Betsy Rust
Nov 07, 2014
Caring for older adults is becoming increasingly important not only to the financial viability of long-term care owners and operators but also to hospitals and health systems. Just a few years ago, senior...
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...
The Manual Medical Review mess
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Oct 29, 2012
What a mess — and that’s probably an understatement! Medicare Part B decided to roll out its new manual medical review process by dividing providers into three phases. If you are unfortunate to...
Finding hope in a letter
By
Louise Merrick
Feb 03, 2019
As a licensed nursing home administrator since 1985, I have had many peaks and valleys in my career! I am happy to report that the majority of my work in the facilities I have had the privilege of overseeing...
How SNFs are cutting costs without cutting back on care
By
Betsy Rust
Jun 29, 2018
As if managing the health of patients wasn’t difficult and time-consuming enough, skilled nursing facilities now have to do more to manage their increasingly complex businesses as well.
Malnourishment: Your issue and mine
By
Martie Moore
Apr 26, 2017
I was amazed how I lost 10 pounds while being in the hospital. I made a joke with a friend of mine who is a dietician about the “hospital diet.” She became very serious and stated, “You...