Taking steps to prevent Clostridium difficile infections
By
Irena Kenneley, Ph.D.
Feb 15, 2013
The numbers are in and they are grim. There are 165,000 cases, $1.3 billion in excess costs, and 9,000 deaths from Clostridium difficile infections that are healthcare-acquired in the United States annually.
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...
Making moments count
By
Martie Moore
Dec 21, 2016
As a professional caregiver, you see, hear and experience the story of the lives before you, and not just the shell of an aging body. Your actions do not make the evening news, but they should.
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.
Non-profit nursing homes offer advantages
By
Matthew Gallardo
Sep 18, 2014
Knowing the right questions to ask and the right characteristics to look for are vital for potential residents and family to making a better and more informed choice. Potential customers, however, may...
Catch a falling star
By
Kim Lewis
Mar 14, 2016
It is time for all SNFs to embrace that if they are not actively moving forward with a plan to improve their stars, they will likely be find themselves falling behind.
Being a leader who leads as if there were no tomorrow
By
Martie Moore
Jun 23, 2017
What would our leadership look like if we thought that tomorrow would not come? If we ask ourselves that question, we immediately will reason there is a tomorrow. That is our challenge: We always give...
Arbitration agreement case in Georgia: What to understand
By
Brannon Arnold and Rick Sager
Mar 22, 2017
A recent decision from the Supreme Court of Georgia makes clear that a plaintiff who brings a wrongful death claim against a decedent’s nursing home is bound by the arbitration agreement entered...
Does caring for specialty populations hurt your public profile?
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 20, 2016
Many skilled nursing facilities are de facto specialty care centers with a disproportionately large number of certain types of residents. This scenario, unfortunately, can translate into a liability in...
Compliance: A game of follow the leader
By
Steven Littlehale
May 27, 2015
Do you remember playing follow the leader as a kid? You just followed the person in front of you and did exactly the same thing. And you did your best. Compliance today is a bit like playing follow the...