Increasing resident and staff satisfaction in SNFs
By
McKnight's Staff
Myles Cochran
Jun 18, 2013
Resident engagement starts with clear communication and frequent contact with caregivers. When residents place a call on a nurse call system, it relays information to caregivers about the needs of the...
Government officials face increased pressure over troubled dual-eligible initiative
By
McKnight's Staff
May 31, 2013
A long-criticized project to improve the healthcare delivery and payment system for people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid has again been under fire in recent days, prompting government officials...
Pressure on senior care providers to improve efficiency may be misguided, say Medicare cost researchers
By
McKnight's Staff
May 30, 2013
Providers in areas with low average Medicare costs are not delivering care more efficiently than providers in high-cost areas, according to a new study. Prior studies said Medicare spending could be reduced...
Medicare coverage of ‘maintenance therapy’ determined by need for skilled care, CMS clarifies...
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 16, 2013
Providers must sufficiently document the need for skilled care in order to obtain Medicare coverage for so-called “maintenance therapy,” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services stressed...
HIPAA will keep changing, federal official tells industry association
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 03, 2013
Providers can expect increased enforcement and continuing rule changes related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), according to a prominent industry group.
OSHA contacts about 1,000 nursing homes as possible inspection targets
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 29, 2013
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently sent letters to about 1,000 nursing homes with high worker injury and illness rates in 2011, warning that they may be subject to inspections.
Who these people are: Nursing home care for Vietnam vets
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 19, 2013
Here’s a conundrum: The rate of post-traumatic stress among Vietnam veterans has climbed from already high levels in recent years, with the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq War serving as triggers. This...
HHS awards states $285 million to support formation of innovative care and payment models
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 25, 2013
The Department of Health and Human Services will award $285 million for 25 states to innovate healthcare delivery and payment systems, the agency announced on Feb. 21. In many of these states, long-term...
Chances of sequester deal look slim after Senate Democrats unveil proposal
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 19, 2013
A Democratic proposal to replace the sweeping automatic spending cuts known as the sequester appears unlikely to pass the Senate, leading lawmakers and political observers to predict the $85 billion in...
Quick treatment after transient ischemic attacks could prevent many strokes, researchers document
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 07, 2013
Seniors who suffer transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes, are at greatly heightened risk for experiencing a full-blown stroke soon after and should seek treatment quickly. That’s according...