So yeah, we’ve all been talking about how long-term care is political fodder. I mean, it tears me apart that no one is interested in a good story coming out of our setting. Take the AHCA/NCAL Quality...
Mother, may I? Please, don’t ask
By
Renee Kinder
May 09, 2024
“Mother!” “Mother, can you hear me?” “Mother, may I have a fried PB&J?” A few weeks ago, I heard these words coming from our youngest. My immediate response was almost visceral, annoyed. “Emmy,...
Let’s talk about Candida auris and why, as a leader, you need to act
By
Martie Moore
Mar 10, 2023
The headlines in the NY Times, Wall Street Journal and other publications say it all: In my conversations across the nation, I have asked many leaders what they are doing to prevent the introduction...
The hypocrisy of staffing mandates
By
Gary Tetz
Oct 19, 2023
Absorbed as you probably are in fighting through the long-term care staffing crisis while parrying a CMS mandate, I wouldn’t blame you for not noticing. But at airports across America, big planes are...
The Universal Foundation: What therapy teams should know
By
Renee Kinder
Apr 25, 2024
The recently published “Quality in Motion: Acting on the CMS National Quality Strategy April 2024” highlights further evolution of the 2022 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) National Quality...
Celebrating poise and positivity in chaos
By
Gary Tetz
Jan 12, 2023
At the end of a long shift on Christmas Eve, two CNAs are chatting in the facility parking lot. “Rough day,” says one. “A family member yelled at me about problems I can’t solve and things that...
Moon landings and the MDS. What gives?
By
Joel VanEaton
Mar 19, 2024
You may be aware that on Feb. 22, Houston-based Intuitive Machines landed a spacecraft on the moon, making history as the first commercial craft to reach the lunar surface and the first U.S. spacecraft...
The season of invisible scars
By
Julie Thorson
Jul 20, 2022
Wanna make a bet? I’ll bet you most people couldn’t care less that we are still in a public health emergency. The field that is very aware of this extension, is without a doubt, long-term care. But...
Making sense of two approaches to the skilled nursing quality assurance privilege
By
Mario C. Giannettino
Sep 01, 2023
Skilled nursing facilities are required by law to have quality assessment and assurance committees to maintain and improve safety and quality in their facilities. The documents created and used by the...
The gift of many hands
By
Martie Moore
Apr 07, 2023
I first was introduced to the blessing of hands as a young nurse working in a faith-based hospital. I was fresh out of college and eager to be a “real Nurse.”