The Five Star Report, once again, in the SNF spotlight
By
Steven Littlehale
Sep 24, 2014
The Five Star Quality Rating System takes the spotlight on the front page of the New York Times and the top of the news cycle, kicking off other publicity and political pressure. Regardless of any of the...
Looking at short stay assessments
By
Jan White
Sep 10, 2014
In reviewing the MDS, there are several areas to check related to short stay requirements. First, is the Start of Therapy assessment checked in A0310C? If there is not a 5-day scheduled assessment or readmission/return...
Navigating bundled payments
By
Dave Sedgwick
Apr 25, 2016
There’s a lot of hand-wringing in the post-acute world these days as observers try to predict just how material the constant changes to reimbursement will be for the operators.
Time for meaningful action on the CNA crisis
By
Jeff Jerebker
Dec 02, 2020
Staffing in nursing homes is a chronic problem that has been greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to get worse. Staff shortages, high turnover and the necessity to often work two...
Where were YOU when CMS changed the Five-Star rating system?
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 20, 2015
Some things will always stay etched in our mind. Where were you on February 12, when CMS publicly announced immediate changes to the Five Star Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes?
Three stars will be the new one star
By
Betsy Rust
Dec 07, 2016
Nursing home operators call it low occupancy. Medicare insiders call it a declining census. Economists call it excess capacity.
CMS sneaks a trick in with its treats
By
Steven Littlehale
Oct 21, 2015
With so many regulatory changes kicking in on Oct. 1, it’s no wonder providers were likely too distracted to notice the latest “trick” by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Agency staffing on the rise? Believe it — and plan for it
By
Steven Littlehale
Nov 21, 2016
The use of contract agency staff to fill nurse aide and licensed nurse vacancies is escalating. This increase is seen across many states, not to mention across the nation as a whole. Yes, we have a well-documented...
3 ways to evolve your staffing model
By
Mike King
Jan 07, 2019
As we’ve adopted the Green House Project® model of care, we’ve noticed staff and residents have truly become like family.
Experiencing life on ‘The Happiness Curve’
By
Donna Stuart
Apr 25, 2022
Are you short-staffed? Isn’t everyone? CNAs quitting. Nurses walking away from careers. Something has changed in how willing people are to stick with frustrating working conditions.