When I read my first SNF PPS final rule about 25 years ago, I thought that the start dates for some of its initiatives were so far in the future that they were of no concern. As a young person, my long-range...
Back to before census
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 10, 2021
One of my favorite lyrics from the musical “Ragtime” is “We can never go back to before.” The character Mother sings about no longer being a slave to societal expectations; she is confident, moving...
Telehealth is a linchpin to SNF success
By
Steven Littlehale
Sep 17, 2021
Telehealth Awareness Week (September 19–25) is a time to highlight and reinforce the critical role of telehealth. Telehealth is the use of telecommunications technology to deliver care and health...
When the rules change, not everyone wins: Counting IC deficiencies in Five-Star
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 05, 2021
Do you remember how, as you were growing up, there was always another kid who would change the rules mid-game to ensure that he won? I do, and it would always make my blood boil. The Centers for Medicare...
Let’s brainstorm, think outside the box and … doom our future
By
Steven Littlehale
Aug 31, 2020
The best way for our industry to NOT move forward is to conduct a series of “brainstorming” sessions where we agree to “think outside the box.”
The new world of compliance under COVID-19
By
Steven Littlehale
Jul 19, 2020
With so many “cooks in the kitchen,” trying to direct pandemic response actions, by whose authority should we be taking action and direction?
Who cares about Five-Star during a pandemic?
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 15, 2020
Just as the sun continues to rise, the need to objectively monitor and evaluate care in nursing homes has not ceased, nor has the need for providers to continuously work on quality improvement initiatives.
The nurse guilt Is unbearable
By
Steven Littlehale
May 04, 2020
Amid a deep bout of “nurse guilt,” I feel like I should be doing more.
Waiver or not, here I come!
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 28, 2020
The immediate relief I felt when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a blanket waiver 1135 on March 13 was soon replaced with confusion and anxiety.
The elephant in the room: PDPM clinical success metrics
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 28, 2020
Are we prepared to defend the increase in Patient Driven Payment Model revenue with superior clinical outcomes?