Does acceptance of “what is” indicate defeat? For a leader with competition as one of her top five strengths, I’ve struggled with this question the last few months. Maybe you have also. To...
Be present to listen
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Apr 06, 2021
I think one of the greatest tools in our customer service toolbelt is just taking the time to be present and listen to our customers. Whether that customer is our coworker, our resident, patient, family...
Therapy and the COVID fog
By
Renee Kinder
Jul 04, 2020
COVID-19, we are navigating your blinding and winding path and will arise from grips stronger than ever.
CMS did more than ‘just’ cut Medicare pay by 11.1%
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Aug 19, 2011
Have you started your COT trending analysis? On Aug. 8, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final ruling and commentary for the new implementation of the MDS changes set to take effect...
4 tips for boosting resident satisfaction
By
Gina Smith
Sep 28, 2016
Your residents and potential consumers are paying more attention than ever to the care they receive, and long-term care providers are taking note.
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...
No rockets’ red (or blue) glare
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 29, 2012
Like sitting in a tub of hot cocoa on the shore of an enchanted mountain lake while listening to a choir of violin-wielding angels. That’s about how it felt to spend some quality time last week at...
Increasing length-of-stay
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jan 30, 2012
Length-of-stay — LOS — is one of those management reports that often leaves administrators and upper management bewildered. If you increase LOS, you essentially increase your census.
Why it’s impossible to maintain prior levels of care quality, and what to do about it
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 24, 2018
Residents and their family members are likely to expect that when they enter long-term care, staff members will provide compassionate medical treatment. Instead, what they frequently find are stressed...
Working on how to communicate in facilities
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Nov 14, 2014
Transitions between care settings are getting more scrutiny than ever before. So thank goodness for new guidelines designed to help smooth them out. Still, we need all the help we can when it comes to...