CMS: Nurse shortage means hospices can keep using contracted workers
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 08, 2014
Hospices can continue to rely on contract nurses because an ongoing nurse shortage is preventing providers from meeting their staffing needs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in a...
SNF staffing data will be submitted quarterly, payroll vendors might be responsible, CMS officials say
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 14, 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services soon will begin collecting quarterly staffing information from skilled nursing facilities, albeit on a voluntary basis, an official said during an Open Door...
Providers can cheer widespread quality improvement, but infection control poses a challenge: AHCA report
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 03, 2013
More long-term care facilities are earning top marks in national quality ratings, but providers may need increased focus on infection control, according to the American Health Care Association’s...
Five-star ratings: What a racquet?
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 16, 2014
The provider community can sound downright oxymoronic when it comes to the five-star rating system for nursing homes.
Hospital observation stays increased more than 100%, AARP study finds
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 15, 2013
The frequency of hospital observation stays skyrocketed and long stays became much more common between 2001 and 2009, according to a new report from the AARP Public Policy Institute.
10,000 lakes and one less nursing home: Spotlight on a facility closure
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 10, 2013
Minnesota appears to be on the ball when it comes to long-term care. It regularly rates at or near the top when states are ranked on LTC services. Yet, Minnesota also is on the leading edge of a more troublesome...
Dual eligibles more likely to go from hospitals to lower quality nursing homes, referral process might...
By
Tim Mullaney
May 27, 2014
People eligible both for Medicare and Medicaid go to lower-quality nursing homes after being hospitalized at a rate higher than Medicare-only patients, according to researchers from Brown and Harvard universities.
NJ jury awards $13.2 million to family of nursing home rehab patient who died
By
Tim Mullaney
May 19, 2014
A nursing home negligence case in New Jersey ended last week with a $13.2 million award to a former resident’s family, lawyers have announced.
Massive snowstorm forces partial evacuation of NY nursing home
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 20, 2014
Ten New York counties were in a state of emergency Wednesday, and one nursing home near Buffalo had to partially evacuate the building after a deadly winter storm swept through the area.
Draft bill proposes counting observation stays for SNF coverage, limiting RAC oversight
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 24, 2014
Hospital observation stays would count toward establishing Medicare eligibility for post-acute services, under comprehensive reforms in a new draft bill from the House Committee on Ways and Means. The...