New infection control guidelines released; MRSA, c. Diff and urinary tract infections figure prominently
Oct 10, 2008
Many of the nation’s most prominent infection-control groups on Wednesday released a new set of “consensus” guidelines to help curb the spread of six potentially fatal facility-acquired...
Using two hypertension meds may help cut risk of death
Oct 06, 2008
On many occasions, it is said that two is better than one. That appears to be the case when it comes to reducing death from high blood pressure among the elderly.
‘Never event’ Medicare reimbursement rules now in effect
Oct 02, 2008
As of this month, Medicare no longer is reimbursing healthcare facilities for “reasonably preventable” medical errors. Also, hospitals are not allowed to charge patients directly for medical...
OIG: Nearly all nursing homes violated federal standards in 2007
Sep 30, 2008
More than nine out of 10 nursing homes in the United States last year were cited for violating federal health and safety standards, according to a report released Monday by the Department of Health and...
Joint Commission releases new pain management brochure
Sep 22, 2008
The Joint Commission, a nonprofit healthcare certification and accreditation organization, has released a new brochure to help patients better discuss issues of pain management with their caregivers.
New safety survey available from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Sep 22, 2008
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a new survey to help nursing homes assess safety, track changes in resident safety over time, and evaluate the impact of safety interventions.
House passes “Silver Alert” legislation to help locate missing seniors
Sep 19, 2008
The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday passed legislation that would set up a nationwide “silver alert” system to help coordinate local law enforcement officials in the event of a missing...
Hurricane Ike causes nursing home evacuations, power outages in Texas
Sep 16, 2008
Evacuated nursing home residents from Galveston, Beaumont and Houston, TX, have been wondering when they will go home after Hurricane Ike caused massive damage in and around the coastal areas of the state.
VA allows voter registration drives in nursing homes
Sep 15, 2008
Voter registration drives will soon take place in nursing homes and other federally run facilities where veterans reside, thanks to a recent decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Senate committee passes nursing home arbitration bill
Sep 15, 2008
The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008, a bill that would eliminate arbitration agreements as a requirement for admission into a nursing home, is one step closer to becoming a law.