MDS, quality reporting changes give providers a ‘bumpy road’ ahead
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 21, 2023
Major changes to resident assessment tools, increasing quality reporting requirements and new state Medicaid payment tools will continue to dog providers well into 2024, a trio of clinical and reimbursement...
“No man is a failure who has friends” — an MDS Merry Christmas
By
Joel VanEaton
Dec 20, 2023
As Christmas and the new year approach, I get nostalgic. I like to think back on good old childhood memories. For me those are the 1970s and ’80s. I remember one Christmas, I was probably 7 years...
Almost 30% of people had mental health problems after loved ones survived stroke, report finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 20, 2023
Caregivers of people who experience a severe stroke experience high levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress in the first year after the patient leaves the hospital, a new study finds.
Working together to combat vaccine hesitancy
By
David Gifford, M.D.
Dec 19, 2023
We must ensure that our population has vaccines to fight off common respiratory viruses this holiday season — and beyond.
Holiday gift ideas
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Dec 19, 2023
As I was looking online for ideas for holiday gifts, I was stunned to see so many bizarre ideas are out there. I mean truly bizarre. One I saw was a wool throw blanket that looks like a piece of...
Consumer groups urge CMS to enforce nurse aide training enforcement initiatives
By
Josh Henreckson
Dec 19, 2023
For all its increased regulatory pressure on nursing homes in recent years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hasn’t fully embraced the Biden administration’s full agenda for long-term care....
An insider’s guide to managed care contract exclusions
By
Susie Mix
Dec 18, 2023
There’s a key question more providers need to know the answer to: What is a contract exclusion? A contract exclusion details the medications and treatments that are not included in the levels of a managed...
CDC urges more people to receive flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 18, 2023
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an urgent alert late last week saying there’s an urgent need to increase vaccination rates.
Vigorous exercise may guard against death from Alzheimer’s disease
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 18, 2023
Engaging in vigorous activity compared to moderate exercise may lower the rate of dying from Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. The study was published in the December issue of The Lancet...
Clinical briefs for Monday, Dec. 18
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 18, 2023
Substance abuse disorder staggering among older adults … Health plans aren’t sure how to cover Alzheimer’s, dementia … Study pegs some Parkinson’s cases to preventable risk factors … Study:...