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.
Mind over math
By
Gary Tetz
Dec 07, 2023
So here’s a frightening question: If these existential calculations are already taking over my life while I’m still working and living independently, how much more tyrannical will this mortality math...
Study points out healthcare workers’ errors adhering to COVID-19 prevention protocols
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 07, 2023
Healthcare workers who had the highest risk for being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 also were most likely to be noncompliant with infection prevention measures, according to a new report.
Leveraging AI for improved clinical outcomes and enhanced resident care in LTC facilities
By
Bharat Monteiro
Dec 06, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT have become well-known household terms, being utilized for various tasks ranging from resume updates to speech writing. While AI’s applications in healthcare...
Need a fresh survey strategy? CMS lays out 3
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 05, 2023
CMS officials have delivered an early gift to help providers like you map out where they should focus their compliance efforts — not just for 2024, but for 2025 as well.