August 2009 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
August 2009
News
House releases new plans for healthcare
Three House committees officially released their version of healthcare reform legislation in mid-July, meeting a deadline requested by President Obama and igniting a firestorm of ...
Ratings may factor in satisfaction results
Federal regulators are meeting with nursing home operators and other key stakeholders to discuss ways that resident and family satisfaction surveys might be factored into ...
CLASS Act offers 'innovative' reform approach: Sebelius
A Senate proposal to create a national long-term care disability insurance program gained a big stamp of approval last month when a cabinet member sent ...
State News
Facilities cannot require residents to give gifts
Gov. Jodi Rell signed a bill prohibiting providers from requiring "donations" or gifts from Medicaid residents as a condition of admission, or lengthening a stay.
Features
Getting in the groove: making the most out of your laundry and housekeeping team
Efficient laundry and housekeeping operations must have consistent routines, closely examined work processes and modern equipment, specialists say
Become a specialist: wound care specialists are highly valuable, but in short supply
Certified wound care nurses play a valuable role in long-term care settings. But even without them, facilities should strive to improve care practices
60 Seconds with...
Ask the care expert
Ask the care expert: preparing for wanderers
Sherrie Dornberger, RNC, CDONA, FACDONA President, NADONA
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the treatment expert: calculating pressure ulcer prevalence vs. incidence
Donna Sardina, RN, MHA, WCC President, Wound Care Education Institute
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the nursing expert: handling time off requests and disruptive nurse managers
Anne Marie Barnett, RN Former President, Maryland NADONA/LTC
Ask the payment expert
Ask the payment expert: highlighting changes to the new RUGs IV system
Patricia Boyer, MSM, NHA, RN President, Boyer & Associates, LLC
Ask the legal expert
Ask the legal expert: non-compete clauses in long-term care employee contracts
John Durso, Esq. Ungaretti & Harris LLP
Having my say
Basic training for doctors
All medical students are required to have clinical experiences in pediatrics and obstetrics, yet there is no requirement for any clinical training in geriatrics.
Design
The payoff of downsizing: turning large entryways into cozy welcome areas
Large lobbies can intimidate first-time visitors, but clever interior design can trim the spaces down to a more manageable size
Leading by example
On-the-job training: discussing a unique nurse training program
This month, we continue our discussion with administrator Andrew McKillop, who maintains that the most valuable asset the facility has is its employees.
The big picture
The BIG Picture: compartmentalization of ideas is no way to expand a world view
The marketplace of ideas remains a worthy goal, but there doesn't appear to be too many shoppers.
Editor’s desk
Editor's Desk: Competing interests may foil plans for true reform
I thought of the parable of the rabbit and the snake when contemplating the flurry of healthcare reform banter taking place before U.S. lawmakers' August ...
Profile
Profile: Winthrop F. Marshall, Chairman-elect, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
In November, Winthrop "Win" Marshall's three children will install him as the next chair of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
