A word of warning: Beware of staffing ratio violations
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Nov 21, 2022
We are all waiting to see the possibility of proposed rules over federal minimum staffing ratios in nursing homes. But with possible federal minimum staffing ratios looming, let’s make sure the government...
The elephant in the room: Are you prepared for the next emergency?
By
Angela Rinehart
Norris Cunningham
Sep 30, 2022
Historically, emergency preparedness programs in long-term care facilities have been less prioritized, with facilities understandably focusing on patient care and operations. But with the pandemic...
Preventing commercial laundry room fires in nursing facilities
By
Stan Szpytek
Apr 04, 2022
This is an excerpt from a local news story that you never want to see for a skilled nursing facility: “A worker was hurt and several residents were relocated after a dryer at a Lehigh Valley nursing...
Prepare for a visit from the ghosts of reimbursement past, present and future!
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 20, 2019
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Reimbursement Reform’ on their lips would be boiled in their own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through their heart!” Ebenezer...
Remember to breathe
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 14, 2017
In order to better face whatever is ahead — and to avoid causing panic in those around us — we can make an effort to be serene and centered. Below are some tried and true calming techniques to help...
SNF Medicare margins: What MedPAC doesn’t know
By
Betsy Rust
Apr 29, 2016
The articulation of data is vitally important, and MedPAC is not the only entity interpreting, or misinterpreting, cost report and claim data.
Strategic goals: Do your goals align with the goals of CMS?
By
Martie Moore
Jun 01, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clearly stated a pathway for change including health literacy, true partnerships and moving the focus of care into a self-management model.
What administrators need to know about therapy metrics
By
Stacy Darling, MBA, MPT, AT, RAC-CT
Aug 08, 2014
Administrators have multiple departments to oversee, so it is important that they have a method to determine if their therapy department is running efficiently, meeting its goals and adding to the strategic...
Creating a recovery plan for a cyber-attack
By
Dan Hanson
Aug 09, 2019
Long-term care facilities more than likely have contingency plans for dealing with natural disasters, such as flooding or an earthquake.
The challenges of hand hygiene in the long-term care setting
By
Jean Fleming
Mar 16, 2009
Maintaining good hand hygiene is key to prevent the spread of infections, but old habits are hard to break.