Analytically Speaking: CMS Quality Measures for MDS 3.0
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 17, 2012
At first, the MDS 3.0 Quality Measures do not appear to be very different from those based on MDS 2.0. But “the devil is in the details” and nearly every measure that seems familiar is different...
Managing the clinically anticipated Medicare Part A length of stay
By
Kris Mastrangelo, OTR, MBA, LNHA
Jan 26, 2012
The Medicare adjustments of fiscal year 2012 have left the long-term care profession discussing and debating care strategies to ensure success and mitigate the reductions in reimbursement. A key indicator...
How to make your nursing facility RAC-ready
By
Bryan Baird
Nov 08, 2011
As skilled nursing facilities adjust to the changes to Medicare that arrived early last month, they must be ready for Recovery Audit Contractors. RACs are independent auditors for the government that are...
Medicare SNF Final Rule: An analytics- based perspective
While the changes to the new SNF PPS rule have been summarized as a simple number reflecting an overall revenue decrease of 11.1%, there are many details in the rulemaking that result in a disproportionate...
Will music improve MDS 3.0 scores?
By
Dan Cohen, MSW
Jun 22, 2011
Using iPods to reconnect long-term care residents with their favorite music is a simple intervention with great upside potential and no side effects. They’re an inexpensive tool that can have a positive...
Long-term care workers are like firefighters
By
Anthony Cirillo
May 04, 2011
In attending the recent Assisted Living Federation of America conference in Orlando, I was impressed with its Hero Awards Program. Five extraordinary senior living professionals were selected from a pool...
On the road to rationed healthcare
By
C.E. Nash
Apr 14, 2011
The Obama administration has determined that we will be able to supply healthcare to several million additional people without increasing the cost of doing so, and with no plan in place to increase the...
Building a capital plan for assisted living facilities
By
Ameeta Soni
Mar 23, 2011
Organizations that provide medical care serve one of the most vital roles in society today, whether it is a hospital, a doctor’s office or an assisted living facility. Given today’s economy,...
Attitudes about food create opportunities for healthcare operators and manufacturers
By
John Bassounas
Mar 16, 2011
The first question, be it in discussion of a retirement community, healthcare facility, or similar location is, “How’s the food?” For the food service operator, that’s the million-dollar...
Union avoidance – press the ‘Easy’ button
By
Tom Zigray
Mar 08, 2011
Unions now represent less than 7% of the private industry workforce in the United States. It is imperative that unions take immediate action to rebuild their membership. That is exactly what unions are...