CMS officials have delivered an early gift to help providers like you map out where they should focus their compliance efforts — not just for 2024, but for 2025 as well.
CMS leader mum on staffing mandate, delivers ‘back to basics’ message
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 08, 2023
A CMS leader steered clear of staffing mandate talk but highlighted a nursing home workforce campaign, renewed survey priorities, discharge processes and much more Tuesday.
CMS leader balks on broader use of antipsychotic drugs
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 25, 2023
One of the nation’s top nursing home regulators is opposed to broadening exclusions for the use of antipsychotic medications, he told attendees of a national conference Friday.
Antipsychotic add-on helps seniors with treatment-resistant depression
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 08, 2023
Older adults with severe depression have better outcomes when the antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify) is added to their existing antidepressant prescription versus a switch to bupropion, a new study has...
‘Unfair’ posting of disputed citations will tarnish operators: experts
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 19, 2023
The decision to post disputed nursing home citations on a government website for consumers riled providers and legal experts Wednesday.
CMS must refine data on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, OIG says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
The Minimum Data Set should not be CMS’ sole source for determining the number of nursing home residents using antipsychotic drugs, according to a new report from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.
Antipsychotics in skilled care: Finding the right dose won’t be easy
By
John O'Connor
Aug 21, 2017
It happens all the time in politics: After dissatisfied voters throw the rascals out, new rascals push back way too hard. Could the same thing happen to the use of antipsychotics in skilled care?
The Hiker’s Guide to the Long-term Care Galaxy
By
Gary Tetz
Jul 27, 2017
Much of what I know about success (or failure) in life, love and long-term care has been reinforced by lessons learned over years of hiking. As a result, I now take it as a point of professional pride...
No wonder so many have pounding headaches
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 16, 2017
A very wise man once told me that when your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Behavioral health care — not drugs — for dementia
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 29, 2015
For the treatments to help dementia patients, turn to behavioral health solutions, not antipsychotic drugs. Just like others around the world.