August 2011 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
AUGUST 2011
News
Tech tools could disclose physical and emotional info
Wireless mobile technology that can track daily activities such as walking, sitting and standing could help unearth important physical and emotional health data, new research ...
OIG seeks immediate stop to 'excessive' Medicare billings
Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities increased unexpectedly by $2.1 billion (16%) during the first six months of fiscal 2011, according to a report from ...
More minorities entering nursing homes
Minorities have entered nursing facilities in record numbers during the past decade, while wealthier white residents have been leaving skilled nursing care, new research shows.
60 Seconds with... Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
CNAs say salary not top issue
Certified nursing assistants in long-term care say job satisfaction and emotional well-being are bigger factors in turnover rates than how much money they make, a ...
CLASS dismissed by 'Gang of 6' proposal
A debt-reduction framework advanced by the bipartisan "Gang of Six" in the Senate would eliminate the CLASS Act. Provider groups quickly took issue with such ...
Dementia hint: amyloid levels
An amyloid levels test could help physicians predict who will develop Alzheimer's disease, a study found.
Dose changes may spur falls
Seniors have a fivefold increased risk of falling in the days right after a dosage change of certain antidepressants, a study finds.
A new take on blending pay
Top Democrats signaled their support for "blending" Medicaid payment rates during discussions on raising the federal debt limit.
Lifestyle fixes halt dementia?
Half of worldwide Alzheimer's disease cases could be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes that often are associated with preventing other chronic health conditions, researchers ...
Medicare payments seem too high: OIG
Another day, another scathing report from the HHS Office of the Inspector General.
State News
State News: Ohio: Medicaid funding plan favors home care
OHIO — Instead of cutting its way out of an $8 billion budget shortfall, the state will instead shift more funding dollars away from nursing ...
Features
Laundry duty hazards
From safely handling soiled linens to cleaning out dryer ducts, enforcing best practices is crucial for employee health, group efficiency and risk management
Best feet forward: How to target DFUs
Providers find that the growing challenge of serving more diabetics and their foot ulcers is best done with foot specialists and a dedicated care team
Ask the care expert
Ask the care expert: With regard to skin breakdown, what's the difference between reactive and active support surfaces?
Sherrie Dornberger, RNC, CDONA, FACDONA, President, NADONA
Resident care
Team approach improves care: study
Seniors living in residential care facilities with an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to long-term care experienced a better quality of care and lower mortality rates than ...
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the treatment expert: What dressing works best on dry wounds?
Susan Wickard, RN, BSN, CWCN, CWS, CLNC, Clinical Advisor, American Association for LTC Nursing
Wound care
Changing bandage colors coming soon?
A bandage that changes colors to reveal wound healing is being created by an Australian researcher. Once brought to market, the invention could help treat ...
Higher bedsore rates seen at predominantly black facilities
Black nursing home residents are more likely than white residents to develop pressure wounds, a new study reveals. Researchers say this finding is consistent with previous ...
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the nursing expert: How do I balance administrative tasks with resident and family meetings?
Anne Marie Barnett, RN, President, Maryland NADONA/LTC
Nursing
Many RNs plan to find new job when economy gets better
Almost 25% of registered nurses surveyed at the beginning of 2011 said they would seek a new employer as the economy improves, according to a ...
New effort cuts catheter-related UTIs
An interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals at a Nebraska rehabilitation hospital succeeded in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections by 89% over 14 months, according to ...
Ask the payment expert
Ask the payment expert: How can facilities remain financially solvent with potential RUG reductions?
Patricia Boyer, MSM, NHA, RN, President, Boyer & Associates, LLC
Payment & policy
Washington owes Medicaid programs $4 billion, govs say
With federal lawmakers trying to figure out ways to cut expenditures, balance the budget and reduce the national deficit, funding to states — and healthcare ...
Poll: IPAB best of options
In contrast to providers' preference, more Americans want an independent payment board to make decisions about Medicare spending, rather than leaving the current system as ...
Ask the legal expert
Ask the legal expert: How will healthcare reform affect sub-acute providers?
John Durso, Esq., Ungaretti & Harris LLP
Legal Matters
Court's verdict on spider bite likely to bug many operators
The death of a nursing home resident from a spider bite is a healthcare liability claim and requires an expert report to be filed as ...
Ruling may limit arbitration agreements
Nursing homes cannot use arbitration agreements to combat lawsuits related to residents' care, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has ruled.
Nonprofit chain finds way to make a 'win-win' transition
The year 2009 was a time of transition for Peninsula United Methodist Homes. CEO Allen Johnson was retiring; a partner was needed for a project ...
Design
Design Decisions: Sun-soaked memory care
Canyon Valley Memory Care builds on the Arizona landscape to create personalized and familiar care that is both relaxing and stimulating
How to do it…
How to do it...Resident safety
Resident safety systems in long-term care facilities have at once seemed to become both simpler and more complex. Their capabilities have certainly expanded, which has ...
A day in the life
A Day in the Life They're speaking her language
Chinese culture values the wisdom and experience of its elderly, but Aileen Jong, a 16-year-old high school student, might very well prove that the reverse ...
I couldn't live without...
I couldn't live without...AccuNurse
With the onset of the RUG-IV payment system looming, leaders at the Covenant Care eldercare chain say they were simply looking for a tool that ...
Resident care
'Sundowning' behaviors are linked to neurological basis
Scientists have new evidence that "sundowning" — late-day anxiety and agitation behaviors exhibited by older institutionalized adults — has a neurological basis, according to a ...
Company news
Biggest REIT buy is official
Ventas Inc. completed its $7.6 billion acquisition of Nationwide Health Properties on July 1, creating the largest healthcare REIT in the U.S.
Vendor news
Wound care firm KCI agrees to be bought for $6.3 billion
One of the world's largest wound care companies is about to gain a new owner. At press time, Kinetic Concepts Inc. agreed to be acquired ...
Drug firms seek off-label help from FDA
Seven large drug firms filed a citizen petition with the Food and Drug Administration that seeks guidance on communication about off-label uses.
The big picture
Getting older and wider
I have a friend who says America is the only country where poor people are fat. Well, it's not just the poor anymore. The next time ...
Editor’s desk
Pave the way for all races in the new LTC landscape
"Eye-opening" is the only way to describe results of a new study by Brown University researchers into eldercare usage patterns. In brief, they found that ...
