Easy to implement infection prevention and control strategies during the holidays in LTC facilities
By
Buffy Lloyd-Krejci, DrPH, CIC
Dec 12, 2023
The Department of Health and Human Services released a report in January of this year showing that more than 1,000 long-term care facilities in the United States had COVID-19 infection rates of 75% or...
Report spots care planning gaps for nursing home residents
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 12, 2023
A new report looks at what’s working to help residents in long-term care communities prioritize care planning and advanced care planning, or ACP.
CDC: More people have chronic fatigue syndrome than previously known
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 12, 2023
It may be a busy season when many people feel run down, but that’s the tip of the iceberg for about 3.3 million Americans who have chronic fatigue syndrome.
A do-nothing Congress? Hardly.
By
John O'Connor
Dec 11, 2023
I’ll say this for Congress: Its members sure know a thing or two about aesthetics.
Are nursing homes headed for an 80% direct-spend rule?
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 11, 2023
A national union on Friday skewed comments made by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to imply federal regulators had proposed an 80% direct care spending requirement for the nursing home...
Revamping CMS survey data integration amid regulatory lag in nursing home oversight
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 08, 2023
The report titled “Uninspected and Neglected” by the majority staff of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging brings attention to a pressing issue: the severe understaffing of inspection agencies...
Eat up, older adults: Certain nutrients linked to better cognitive function
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 08, 2023
Several nutrients are linked with cognitive function and mood in older adults, according to a new report.
Nursing home survey processes to be pared back, new MDS items added in 2024: CMS
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 07, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be testing truncated survey processes starting in 2024, part of an effort to make on-site inspections more efficient as the agency deals with multiple...
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...
Drama within deluge of CMS staffing mandate comments
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 07, 2023
After 60 days of public and often-heated debate, the formal comment period for one of the most controversial federal healthcare regulations ever proposed came to a close Nov. 6.