New law eliminates fines for nursing homes that fix problems
May 29, 2009
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D) this week enacted a law that eliminates fines against nursing homes that identify and correct health and safety issues on their own accord. The law sets out new rules and guidelines...
Regulators go overtime fielding comments and questions on nursing home star-rating system
Jun 25, 2008
While the focus of regulators’ “Open Door Forum” conference call Tuesday might have first appeared to be about getting ready for the December rollout of a new nursing home ranking system,...
About a decade ago, I wrote a controversial column that offended some readers. In it, I suggested the industry start policing itself by identifying and reprimanding the bad actors in this field, lest the...
Nursing home sexuality shouldn’t be taboo, researchers say
Nov 18, 2008
Aging experts at Kansas State University have been researching ways to make nursing home staff more comfortable with their residents’ sexuality.
Salaries increase for DONs, administrators
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2007
Good nursing leaders are a hot commodity – at least if the most recently compiled salary findings are to be believed.
The message is perfectly clear: Too often we aren’t
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2007
The telephone call came from the doctor’s office. I wasn’t put off too much that an office worker was on the line instead of the doctor or nurse. I was anxious to get the test results.
Care not same as caring
By
Mary Eleanor Wickersham
May 01, 2008
When “Dianne Butler’s” mother was rushed to the emergency room with signs of a heart attack, the ER nurses quickly cut away her snug, pullover silk shift. Hurrying to do CPR and start...
Good long-term care governing practices improve risk management
By
Julie Williamson
Sep 01, 2007
A strong, committed long-term care governing board can raise a facility’s risk management policies to new heights.
Nurses, staff should receive MRSA screenings, researchers say
Apr 23, 2008
Leaders of healthcare facilities should seriously consider having staff members screened for MRSA, the drug-resistant infection that can wreak havoc on senior populations, Swiss and South African researchers...