Federal court weighs nursing home’s duty to bargain over emergency pay during COVID
By
Josh Henreckson
May 13, 2024
A case to decide whether a nursing home could make pay and staffing decisions during the COVID-19 health emergency without input from its workers’ union entered a new stage Thursday with the start of...
One step forward, one back as lawmakers increase role of LPNs, take back temp rate hike
By
Josh Henreckson
May 08, 2024
A week after the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board approved a $24 minimum wage for CNAs, a group of elected lawmakers fell short in their attempt to create exceptions and funding for “distressed”...
Nursing home workers praised for roles in harrowing tornado evacuation
By
Josh Henreckson
May 13, 2024
Staff members of Barnsdall Nursing Home were quick to jump into action during a tornado that damaged their Barnsdall, OK, long-term care facility Monday night and forced a full evacuation in the aftermath....
MDS ‘alarm’ bells key to quality gains in heightened reporting environment: expert
By
Josh Henreckson
May 06, 2024
Patterns revealed by Minimum Data Set entries and what they unearth about patient care can help providers perform better on quality measures, if that data is used to better understand and act on problem...
Nursing homes could get doubled incentive pay due to new performance metrics
By
Josh Henreckson
May 02, 2024
Nursing homes in New Jersey will have new opportunities for increased care quality incentive payments if a measure in the proposed state budget for fiscal year 2025 is approved. The proposal would nearly...
Rare congressional review aims to undo nursing home staffing mandate
By
Josh Henreckson
May 16, 2024
A rare congressional resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives Tuesday that presents a new opportunity for federal lawmakers to block the nursing home staffing mandate.
Nurse practitioners improve skilled nursing’s dementia care outcomes, but regulatory barriers remain:...
By
Josh Henreckson
May 13, 2024
Nurse practitioners have become an increasingly integral part of nursing home care over the last decade, and rightfully so, researchers have found. NPs’ involvement can significantly improve end-of-life...
State launches free, virtual nurse aide training to address mandate, shortages
By
Josh Henreckson
May 10, 2024
With a first-ever federal staffing mandate putting new pressure on providers already struggling with workforce shortages, Texas regulators are opening a new pathway to make it easier for new nurse aides...
Anticipated Five-Star updates must drive changes to daily operations: expert
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 26, 2024
Upcoming changes to Five-Star rating methodology will require long-term care providers to overhaul several key daily processes related to staffing and quality measure reporting, an informatics specialist...
OIG writing compliance guidebook to assist nursing home sector, hints at focus areas
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 19, 2024
The federal government’s top watchdog is working on sector-specific guides to assist nursing homes in keeping in compliance with federal regulations. Particular attention will be given to some challenging...