CMS: Demonstration project to reward nursing homes that provide high-quality care
Aug 18, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Monday disclosed positive results from three-so-called pay-for-performance demonstrations at hospitals and physician practices. Now it wants to see if financial...
Study confirms cost benefits of Guided Care for seniors with chronic conditions
Aug 07, 2009
Guided Care programs significantly reduce the number of days seniors with chronic conditions spend in hospitals and nursing homes. The also can save billions of dollars in healthcare costs each year, according...
Effective delirium treatments continue to elude researchers
Jul 10, 2009
Delirium during hospitalization affects up to seven million adults every year, increases the likelihood of needing post-acute or nursing home care and doubles a patient’s risk of death. And, according...
Doctors warn: Non-payment for patient falls could lead to increased use of restraints
Jun 05, 2009
New regulations that stop payments to hospitals for treatment after potentially preventable patient falls could backfire, leading instead to increased use of restraints, a Harvard Medical School physician...
CMS proposes delay of Medicaid provider-tax rule
Jun 01, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed delaying until July 1, 2010, the enforcement of a Medicaid rule that would limit the use of provider taxes.
Healthcare groups commit to cutting costs; Minnix reiterates need to talk about long-term care
May 12, 2009
Major healthcare providers pledged Monday to reduce cost increases by $2 trillion over the next decade. In response, one long-term care association issued a statement about the importance of including...
Eat, drink and make merry: Social interaction increases food intake among hospitalized seniors, study...
May 06, 2009
Social interaction between hospitalized seniors at mealtime has a direct correlation to the amount of food they typically eat, suggests a new study.
Long-term care organizations praise CMS post-acute pilot project
Apr 15, 2009
Many in the long-term care community are supporting the Care Transitions Project, a government initiative to improve healthcare processes and minimize rehospitalizations.
CMS discloses new post-acute initiative to prevent rehospitalizations
Apr 14, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is beginning a new pilot program to help ease the adjustment from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility or home. The purpose is to prevent hospital readmissions.
Study: Expectations, motivation may affect post-hospitalization mobility for seniors
Apr 08, 2009
Seniors hospitalized for illness experience greater functional decline than surgical patients. The difference could be a function of expectations and personal motivation, a recent study suggests.