The impact of survey delays on nursing home quality and consumer information
By
Steven Littlehale
May 24, 2024
In a column published by McKnight’s in December 2023, “Revamping CMS Survey Data Integration Amid Regulatory Lag in Nursing Home Oversight,” I urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services...
Are CMS risk-based surveys enough to address the downfall of survey delays?
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 26, 2024
In April 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the testing of a risk-based survey (RBS) that streamlines the standard recertification process for high-performing nursing homes....
Pleading the Fifth
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 16, 2022
We all know that political and notable figures of all kinds have the ultimate “out” available when being asked questions of substance by authorities. They can just invoke the Fifth Amendment. That’s...
Confidence, plus 1
By
Martie Moore
Jun 02, 2023
I belong to a group on social media that posts pictures of nature, animals, birds and the occasional unidentified print left in the dirt/sand. This day a question was poised, “Can you identify what animal...
CMS provides first look at shorter, Risk-Based Survey process
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 04, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Wednesday revealed initial information about a potential “Risk-Based Survey” option that could be available to some of the nation’s best performing...
State clears 91% of nursing home survey backlog, and the rate is rising
By
Josh Henreckson
Feb 27, 2024
Only seven of Delaware’s long-term care facilities are not yet caught up on their annual surveys, but that number soon will be just five, according to state officials.
Added scrutiny forces state to triple nursing home citation amounts
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 24, 2023
Local media coverage has now led to the tripling of fines levied on Iowa nursing homes at least three times after state officials initially ignored a state mandate regarding repeat offenses.
OIG signals new focus on nursing homes
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Feb 17, 2023
The federal Office of Inspector General recently published its “OIG’s Top Unimplemented Recommendations: Solutions To Reduce Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in HHS Programs.” In the 94-page document,...
Also in the News for Monday, Dec. 18
By
Josh Henreckson
Dec 18, 2023
Iowa Republicans reject move to investigate nursing homes as regulators try to catch up on surveys … Like ‘long COVID,’ Influenza can impact health for months after infection … Michigan gets $400K...
The elephant in the room: Are you prepared for the next emergency?
By
Angela Rinehart
Norris Cunningham
Sep 30, 2022
Historically, emergency preparedness programs in long-term care facilities have been less prioritized, with facilities understandably focusing on patient care and operations. But with the pandemic...