The debate over whether Recovery Audit Contractor audits are an incentive-laced system of provider harassment or a necessary tool to redistribute misspent Medicare funds continues. Neither side appears...
Custom chair cushions might aid spinal cord injury patients
By
Amy Novotney
Apr 06, 2015
Wheelchair cushions designed to adjust to a person’s size and form can help redistribute pressure and provide support for activities of daily living for patients with spinal cord injuries, report...
Incentives seen as a spark for EHR expansion in field
By
Amy Novotney
Mar 04, 2015
Electronic health record use in nursing homes is at an all-time high, but health information technology adoption in long-term care is still lagging behind other healthcare sectors, according to a study...
Smokers not informed of ways habit can affect wound healing
By
Amy Novotney
Mar 04, 2015
Exposure to smoke from just one cigarette decreases blood flow to chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. A new study shows the habit’s impact on healing...
Weak IT system brings first HIPAA provider settlement
By
Amy Novotney
Feb 01, 2015
A first-of-its-kind HIPAA settlement demonstrates that long-term care needs to be vigilant about updating software and other basic security tasks, officials say.
New skin patch helps keep diabetic foot ulcers at bay
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 01, 2015
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a drug delivered through a skin patch that not only helps diabetic foot ulcers heal faster, but prevents the wounds from recurring.
As providers get back into gear for the ICD-10 changes to hit in 2015, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have developed a free online tool to help healthcare facilities determine where...
Agencies offer resource for improving LGBT inclusion
By
Amy Novotney
Oct 01, 2014
Many older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults residing in long-term care facilities do not feel safe being open about their sexual identities, experts say.
Spreading too thin?
By
Amy Novotney
Oct 01, 2014
Lenders encourage facility operators to think twice before pursing alternative models of care; ‘jack-of-all-trades’ a challenging label to embrace
Panel slams fee for service
By
Amy Novotney
Jul 01, 2014
The predominance of fee-for-service payment methods is the greatest barrier to improving efficiency in the nation’s healthcare system, according to a May 29 report from a panel of White House advisors....