Ask the legal expert … about loan defaults and negotiations
By
John Durso
Nov 01, 2013
Our facility is encountering financial difficulties. What do we need to keep in mind about the legal implications of defaults under our loan documents and negotiating with our lender?
Reducing readmissions: Physician services enabled by telemedicine in SNFs
By
John Durso
and John Whitman
Nov 04, 2013
When a resident of a skilled nursing facility has an acute event after hours or on weekends, the on-site nurse will generally call the patient’s primary care physician. Over the telephone, the nurse...
Ask the legal expert … about winning resolution proceedings
By
John Durso
Sep 01, 2013
I’m tired of losing informal dispute resolution proceedings. How can I win one?
Ask the legal expert … about email privacy
By
John Durso
Jul 01, 2013
Are emails between nursing staff and supervisors commenting on a resident’s status — such as cautions about keeping an eye on a resident who ultimately falls into a bad condition (pressure ulcer,...
Ask the legal expert … about mandating flu shots
By
John Durso
May 01, 2013
We’ve decided that next flu season we’re going to mandate our staff members get flu shots. Are we on firm legal ground?
Ask the legal expert … about arbitration agreements
By
John Durso
Apr 01, 2013
It seems like every time I see a news item about arbitration agreements being signed by a resident/patient’s surrogate or relative, some judges rules it invalid or unenforceable. Are they ever valid?...
Ask the legal expert … how to deal with someone leaking information
By
John Durso
Mar 02, 2013
Someone leaked sensitive patient information to the press after we had a recent fire here. What steps can/should we take to investigate or determine who the leak was?
Ask the legal expert … about due diligence when being recruited
By
John Durso
Feb 01, 2013
I’m an administrator and am being recruited by a skilled nursing facility with past legal troubles. What should I do to satisfy myself that this facility has cleaned up its act and would be a good...
Ask the legal expert: What to do after being accused of upcoding therapy reimbursement claims?
By
John Durso
Jan 02, 2013
We’ve been accused of upcoding our therapy reimbursement claims. What can we do?
Is it ever OK to hire someone with a criminal record?
By
John Durso
Dec 02, 2012
We try to check out employee candidates as thoroughly as possible but the staffing environment around here is tough.