CMS is not terribly interested in hearing about your staffing woes
By
John O'Connor
May 06, 2019
It’s no secret that finding and keeping nurses is one of the skilled care sector’s biggest headaches. But it would appear that the folks who regulate this field don’t want to hear it any more.
Mixed messages about the current state of long-term care
By
John O'Connor
Oct 15, 2018
Some American Health Care Association convention attendees might have experienced a sudden case of whiplash last week. That’s because their eyes and ears were quickly exposed to two very different realities.
How would you like to spend some ‘quality time’ with CMS?
By
John O'Connor
Sep 24, 2018
First it was staffing data, could Uncle Sam be after providers for quality data next? One Senator might be after just that.
Skilled care operators feeling the pinch. Or should we say, pinches?
By
John O'Connor
Jul 02, 2018
“This is going to be the wave of the future.” If you happen to be a long-term care operator looking for words to live by, the above sentence is a pretty good choice.
Will the new mantra for nursing home operators be ‘quality over quantity’? Yes and no
By
John O'Connor
Apr 16, 2018
A new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation confirms a shift that most skilled care operators can relate to. While resident occupancy levels continue to bottom out, the new arrivals are in worse shape...
Bold moves that won’t do long-term care any favors
By
John O'Connor
Apr 09, 2018
By most accounts, the election of Donald J. Trump as our 45th President has been great news for long-term care operators. But amid various success stories, a serious misstep may be in the works.
What’s a nursing home operator to do? Make adjustments!
By
John O'Connor
Mar 26, 2018
Operators who can make some adjustments and ride out the current regulatory and operating storm might not just survive, but thrive.
Nursing shortage relief from an unexpected source
By
John O'Connor
Oct 30, 2017
When it comes to skilled-care staffing, the future outlook is bleak. If it’s possible, the situation for nurses might be even worse. But at least a partial solution could be in the offing from a...
Antipsychotics in skilled care: Finding the right dose won’t be easy
By
John O'Connor
Aug 21, 2017
It happens all the time in politics: After dissatisfied voters throw the rascals out, new rascals push back way too hard. Could the same thing happen to the use of antipsychotics in skilled care?
Finally, some good occupancy news
By
John O'Connor
Apr 17, 2017
You could almost hear the collective sigh of relief when NIC released its first-quarter tally on skilled nursing occupancy levels. To be sure, the 87.2% rate is not exactly a cause for celebration. Then...