Nursing homes prepare for worst with Hurricane Gustav
Aug 29, 2008
Their memories of Hurricanes Katrina and the Rita still vivid, nursing home administrators in the Gulf Coast area are bracing for what could be the first major storm there in three years-Hurricane Gustav.
Advancing Excellence campaign receives major grant from Commonwealth Fund
Aug 28, 2008
The Commonwealth Fund has awarded a $474,000 grant to the steering committee of the Advancing Excellence campaign, a two-year campaign that aims to improve care in the nation’s nursing homes.
Federal agencies at odds: Medicare payment error rate much higher than first reported
Aug 27, 2008
The Office of the Inspector General has issued a report claiming that the Medicare payment error rate for durable medical equipment in 2006 was significantly higher than the 7.5% rate claimed by the Centers...
Tropical storm Fay leaves Florida’s nursing homes largely unscathed
Aug 25, 2008
In the wake of Tropical Storm Fay, nursing homes throughout Florida have been receiving visits from state inspectors, and it appears that facilities have weathered the storm well.
Prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease sparks health reform recommendations
Aug 25, 2008
The U.S. healthcare delivery system may not be equipped to handle the expected growth in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new report by Avalere Health.
Democrats include long-term care reform in policy platform
Aug 21, 2008
The Democratic Party has included long-term care reform as a plank in its policy platform.
Study: Seniors getting shorted on emergency care
Aug 20, 2008
An apparently unconscious age bias among emergency room services personnel, along with a lack of knowledge on how to care for the elderly, could be leading to a distinct lessening of care for seniors,...
New York bans mandatory overtime for nurses
Aug 19, 2008
Another state is putting limits on the numbers of hours nurses have to work. New York Gov. David Paterson (D) recently signed legislation banning mandatory overtime for registered nurses and licensed practical...
Report examines role of nursing home direct caregivers
Aug 18, 2008
The aging baby boomer population will strain long-term care resources, including the direct-caregiver workforce, according to Better Jobs Better Care. A new report from the research initiative offers an...
Experts: Preventing re-hospitalizations key to Medicare solvency
Aug 18, 2008
Medicare could save up to $12 billion per year if it would reduce the number of Medicare patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of a previous stay. Those savings, in turn, could help fund physician...