For more than a year, America’s nursing homes have been besieged by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has tragically claimed the lives of more than 130,000 residents and 1,600 staff. While America’s nursing...
Moving beyond the ZIP code
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 26, 2014
Why is there greater disparity occurring in some states but not all? Is it about the size of the state or the number of survey districts?
To Seema: Let’s work together
By
Tamar Abell
May 08, 2020
Dear Seema Verma, Let me start out by saying, we, in the long-term care community, understand what a difficult job you have been tasked with. This unprecedented event has devastated our elderly, specifically...
Spring is coming… why are we adding more layers?
By
Angi Livingston
Mar 07, 2022
In addition to tracking and submitting extensive COVID-19 data to NHSN weekly and providing numerous data requests to surveyors, facilities now have to dedicate resources to populating a COVID-19 Staff...
F-Tag revisions: Have you prepared?
By
Lisa Thomson
Feb 06, 2015
CMS updated survey guidance and interpretive guidance for 20 F-Tags that went into effect Nov. 26, 2014. Are SNF leaders paying attention?
Summer reading: The language of long-term care
By
Mary Helen McSweeney-Feld
Jul 30, 2014
A recent NPR survey of older adults had a not-too-surprising finding: No one likes being referred to as “elderly” or as a “senior.”
When the rules change, not everyone wins: Counting IC deficiencies in Five-Star
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 05, 2021
Do you remember how, as you were growing up, there was always another kid who would change the rules mid-game to ensure that he won? I do, and it would always make my blood boil. The Centers for Medicare...
It’s time to fix the skilled nursing survey process
By
Jeff Petty
Jun 10, 2008
We all know that the annual survey process for skilled nursing facilities needs to be changed. But are we willing to go the distance to do it?
A former surveyor tells THE key to getting good star ratings
By
Leslie Mahoney, RN, BSN
May 14, 2018
Until the State Operations Manual becomes the quintessential tool for regulatory compliance, a 5-star rating will be out of reach for skilled nursing providers. It’s as simple as that.
Upon further inspection, part of the CMS visitation guidance stinks
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Mar 20, 2021
There is unfortunate irony in a provision of the new CMS nursing home visitation guidance.