March, the summer solstice, and social determinants of health
By
Joel VanEaton
Mar 21, 2023
Daylight-saving time is finally here! I look forward to the day in March that it arrives starting June 21 every year. What’s June 21 you ask? Why, it’s the summer solstice. The summer solstice is...
Bad survey? Call your medical director
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Mar 20, 2023
I recently won a case against state surveyors and I learned something new… again. The surveyors were adamant that the facility neglected a resident, and cited violations of policies, and criticized...
Everything Everywhere All at Once
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Mar 14, 2023
Unless you are not on any form of social media or haven’t watched the news, you probably are aware that the movie, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” just won a bunch of Oscars, including best picture. ...
Swearing good, drinking bad
By
Gary Tetz
Feb 23, 2023
Last time out here, I gave long-term care professionals official permission to swear, making the case, with strong scientific support, that an occasional obscenity is actually healthy. I assume for most...
OIG signals new focus on nursing homes
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Feb 17, 2023
The federal Office of Inspector General recently published its “OIG’s Top Unimplemented Recommendations: Solutions To Reduce Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in HHS Programs.” In the 94-page document,...
Amendments to the public charge rule did not go far enough when it comes to LTC
By
Moroni Fernandez Cajavilca
Jan 27, 2023
Despite the Biden administration’s recent amendments to the criteria of what constitutes a “public charge,” non-citizens of the United States still cannot receive Medicaid-funded long-term care without...
CMS posts alleged deficiencies on Nursing Home Care Compare
By
Alan C. Horowitz, Esq., RN
Jan 25, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services conveys its policies (and directives) through its Quality, Safety & Oversight (QSO) memos. On Jan. 18, 2023, CMS announced that beginning on Jan. 25, 2023,...
Let’s remember MLK and his message about healthcare disparities
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Jan 19, 2023
In this day and age of all that is going on with nursing homes, it is important to focus on areas that don’t get much attention right now, but that are, nonetheless, critically important in our society. ...
It’s time for care solutions, not excuses
By
Michael Wasserman
Jan 09, 2023
In February 2019, I wrote about the importance of fully engaging geriatricians and certified medical directors in the operations of nursing homes and chains. A month later, I shared my concern about a...
Setting up for MDS 3.0 success
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 06, 2023
Are you a “New Year’s resolution” kind of person? I am not, but I am a strong believer in establishing goals and setting intentions. Whether you prefer to make a resolution or set a goal, January...