All sides generally agree that the current nursing home survey system is flawed. But there’s hardly consensus on how best to fix it. Here’s something worth considering.
Five-Star makes complaints against nursing homes even more serious
By
Tyler J. Smith
Jul 06, 2009
Nursing homes have a difficult enough time contending with the survey and certification system. Now that the Five-Star Quality Rating System has begun, they have to work even harder to protect themselves...
Something’s got to give…
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Dec 01, 2021
I read recently that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is back at it again. Instead of reasonably mandating surveyors be vaccinated, just as CMS has required nursing homes to be vaccinated,...
The truth in the stars
By
Jessica Curtis
Jun 07, 2021
Can a one-star skilled nursing facility be the same as a five-star facility? It depends on your zip code. When the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services assigns the health inspection...
The truth can set you free — or put your long-term care facility out of business
By
John O'Connor
Jan 11, 2013
Journalists generally get all warm and tingly when previously guarded information becomes available. It must be in our DNA. So I should probably be cheering ProPublica’s announcement that the government...
Top 5 news stories reveal varied interests among long-term care professionals
By
John O'Connor
Jan 03, 2014
What do neck abnormalities, dangerous bacteria, a murder-suicide, a defensive nursing home chain, and antipsychotic guidelines have in common? These five developments were voted the most popular news stories...
Fines, fines, fines… we are not fine
By
Jessica Curtis
Jan 10, 2022
Record instances and dollar amounts of fines to skilled nursing facilities just made public last month highlight the tense regulatory environment operators are managing through. Despite federal “provider...
Why the New York Times’ ‘hatchet job’ shows better days are coming to long-term care
By
John O'Connor
Aug 26, 2014
A pall hangs over this sector at the moment, thanks to the New York Times.
An update on President Biden’s initiatives for long-term care
By
Angela Rinehart
Norris Cunningham
Jul 25, 2022
President Joe Biden gave his State of the Union address on March 1, 2022. Markedly, he announced his intention to “set higher standards for nursing homes” to “make sure your loved ones get the care...
Plan of correction can be anything but, as this provider learns the hard way
By
John O'Connor
Apr 28, 2014
Justice has an odd way of showing itself if you’re a nursing facility that disagrees with a deficiency citation but decides to work with inspectors to clear your name. You’re not going to believe...