Providers are trying to wrap their arms — and their software — around almost 1,200 ICD-10 coding updates that go into effect starting this weekend, including an “explosion of codes” related to...
Medical marijuana lawsuit highlights provider trap as laws clash
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Oct 11, 2023
A new case challenging an applicant’s dismissal due to medical marijuana use is raising concerns about what kind of legal protection job seekers and facilities have — especially amid a national nursing...
SNFs have made great strides in preventing, treating COVID, docs say
By
Joe Bush
Oct 14, 2022
Nursing facilities are now highly skilled at preventing COVID-19 illness and staving off serious outcomes, said doctors in a panel discussion this week. But pandemic challenges linger.
COVID-19, flu shots at same time safe and effective, study says
By
Kristen Fischer
Sep 11, 2023
A new study looked at how healthcare workers fared after having a COVID-19 vaccine, a flu shot or both. It found that taking both wasn’t linked to a lower immune response or to more frequent adverse...
One sick worker linked to 17 infections and $12K in treatment costs, LTC study finds
By
John Hall
Aug 26, 2022
A new study reveals how a single sick caregiver can easily infect residents and co-workers in a long-term care setting and drive up treatment costs by thousands of dollars.
After sinking $400M into skilled care, Welltower exec says more ‘creative’ opportunities in the pipeline
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 01, 2023
Welltower has spent more than $400 million on long-term and post-acute care investments so far in 2023, while also experiencing a 5.3% increase in net operating income across such properties it has held...
Loneliness, frailty linked to health problems in older adults
By
Kristen Fischer
Mar 04, 2024
Loneliness and frailty can be common among older people — and it can have a negative impact on their physical health, according to a review published on Feb. 29 in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
Nurse wanted nursing home victims to ‘slip’ away: charging documents
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 26, 2023
A nurse with a spotty work history that includes allegations of “abuse” has been charged in the killings of two nursing home residents and the attempted murder of a third, the Pennsylvania attorney...
This year’s new tripledemic: COVID-19, flu and RSV
By
Kristen Fischer
Jul 25, 2023
It’s going to be a pretty busy cold, flu and respiratory syncytial virus season, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 is on the rise now, a year after the country...
Days-old MDS creating chaos for some providers
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 04, 2023
Just two days into a new era in nursing home patient assessments, providers were reporting widespread struggles with an updated MDS system, observers said Tuesday.