t’s the time of year when we reflect and give thanks. With all the rapid changes in post-acute care, providers can be thankful for the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement regulations detailed...
New models predict SNF hospital readmission rates
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 21, 2015
If a skilled nursing facility were an overall Five Star performer, you would think that it would provide the best care and have the fewest rehospitalizations, right?
Do you really want to be ‘average’?
By
Steven Littlehale
Jul 22, 2014
A provider client once said to me, “I don’t understand all this ‘statistical gobbledygook.’ Tell me why I should care and how I can actually use this.” It was a valid request.
Multistate corporations, listen up!
By
Steven Littlehale
May 30, 2014
It is not a numbers game. Well, I guess it kind of is. Let’s face it: It is now common practice to monitor your facilities’ Five Star ratings.
Reviewing RUG levels
By
Steven Littlehale
Sep 01, 2013
From the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 8, we know rehabilitation skilled level of care requires the delivery of skilled therapy five distinct days a week. While this requirement is usually easy...
Be measurably fabulous
By
Steven Littlehale
Oct 01, 2012
On the heels of American Health Care Association announcing the adoption of PointRight’s OnPoint-30 rehospitalization metric, you may be wondering what it means exactly and what’s at stake....
Data integrity critical for MDS quality
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 16, 2012
As most long-term care operators can attest, MDS 3.0 has spurred both opportunities and obstacles. On one hand, the new resident assessment tool is pushing resident care and satisfaction to the forefront...
Analytically Speaking: Time to look at data
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 03, 2012
Have you ever said, “I didn’t see it coming” or felt you were “drowning in data”? Do you use data to validate your actions or define your future strategies? Whatever the case,...
Tough conversations on gender equity, from dinner tables to boardrooms
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 29, 2022
To solve our staffing shortage, we must address the issue of gender parity in leadership. And to do that, we must embrace our fear, speak up, and act; we must start the tough conversations.
Additional staffing metrics point to organizational stability
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 04, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, through its consumer‐facing website, has made additional nursing home staffing data available. Doing so during a public health emergency, when the industry...