December 2015 36 12 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
December 2015 edition of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
News
Providers cite HIPAA wrongly
Care coordination is often stymied by incorrect understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a former Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services ...
LeadingAge salutes Minnix, new leaders
A record number of LeadingAge attendees and eight past board chairmen honored outgoing President and CEO Larry Minnix in a polished "thank you" ceremony at ...
Penalties surge under new law
The new federal budget could prove costly for accused providers.
Vaccine power hurt by statins
Statins may reduce the efficacy of flu vaccinations in seniors, according to two new studies.
SNFs worst for job-tied injuries
Nursing facilities again rank among the industries with the highest amount of occupational injuries, according to the latest information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
AANAC making plans for DON organization
Long-term care nurse executives have announced they will be introducing an organization for directors of nursing in a few months.
'CCRC' is out, LeadingAge says
After two years of study, LeadingAge has said continuing care retirement communities should be retitled "life plan community" as a category.
Sloan, former LeadingAge COO, named to top position
The former chief operating officer of LeadingAge, Katie Smith Sloan, has been named its new president and CEO — the first woman to hold the ...
Updated LTC safety rules are on the way
Two new rules that would update fire safety and emergency preparedness standards for healthcare facilities arrived at the White House's Office of Management and Budget ...
State News
State News for December 2015
Pennsylvania — A recent ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court could have "broad implications" for the future of nursing home arbitration agreements.
Features
Connecting at all hours
Software firms and providers are devising novel solutions to engage seniors, families and staff who are embracing technology to stay in better communication
Seasonal shifts
The threats will materialize but providers often seem to forget that being prepared for the flu and heading off C. diff can save time, money ...
Vaccination quandry vexes LTC workforces
Findings announced by the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases in September show that healthcare personnel in long-term care settings were least likely to be vaccinated ...
60 Seconds with...
60 Seconds With... Mark Goulston, M.D.
Q: Why did you write "Talking To Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life"?
Ask the care expert
Ask the Care Expert about... hand washing
I am a new RN in post-acute care. What is one thing I should learn first to help residents, and to help me have a ...
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the Treatment Expert about... addressing pressure ulcers with staff
Do you have any ideas on how to address the problem of pressure ulcers with my staff?
Wound care
Infrared camera helps assess chronic, non-healing wounds
Handheld infrared cameras may help healthcare workers assess and identify hard-to-heal wounds early on, a new study has found.
Study: Silver dressings may not be gold
A new study has cast further doubt on whether a controversial treatment to prevent surgical site infections is effective for elderly patients.
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the Nursing Expert about... rehospitalizations
I heard my new director of nursing talking to some of the nurses saying, we must stop rehospitalizations. I am a new nurse to long-term ...
Nursing
Study: Healthcare workers not making healthy choices
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers don't always practice what they preach when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, a new study suggests.
Mid-morning may be best break time: study
The best time of day to take a break is mid-morning, according to a new study from Baylor University.
Ask the payment expert
Ask the Payment Expert about... Quality Measures
What are the Quality Measures that will be included in the new SNF Value Based Purchasing program?
Payment & policy
Medicare overpayment rule might take effect in February
Barring objections from the Office of Management and Budget, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will implement a new rule early next year aimed ...
OIG: Tougher 2016 probes
Providers should expect more aggressive federal efforts to investigate healthcare fraud cases as the Department of Health & Human Services makes use of sophisticated data ...
Ask the legal expert
Ask the Legal Expert about... EEOC lawsuits
We fired a CNA for poor work habits. Period. Now, however, she's suing and claiming discrimination because some coworkers apparently made a few wisecracks about ...
Legal Matters
Feds consolidate, join billing lawsuits vs. SavaSeniorCare
The federal government has thrown its weight behind whistleblower complaints against skilled nursing chain SavaSeniorCare LLC. Authorities joined three lawsuits accusing the massive provider of ...
Arbitration clauses get more scrutiny
The autumn of discontent over pre-event arbitration agreements continued to rage.
Pursuing excellence
Subjective analytics?
You encounter predictive analytics daily — when you apply for life insurance, receive unique credit card offers, or view pop-up web ads. But do they ...
Design
Design Decisions: E-lated with the new look
A replacement building thrives on natural light, vibrant colors and culture change perks to give residents new choices, neighborhoods
How to do it…
How to do it... Design that appeals to family members
More and more, families are having greater influence on deciding where their loved ones will stay. And the things they're looking for are rooted in ...
A day in the life
Breaking away in style
About once a week, Chris Kramer goes for a bike ride along the Fox River in Oshkosh, WI. It's a scenic ride, but the best ...
I couldn't live without...
I couldn't live without... Caremerge Chronic Care App
When Ken Giacobbo's New Jersey practice, HomeVisits Physicians, went looking for a chronic care management tool, it was difficult. Discovering and using the Caremerge Chronic ...
Technology
Interactive robotic pets are calming dementia patients
A robotic therapy cat can help improve quality of life for people with dementia, according to a pilot study out of Mälardalen University in Sweden.
Opinion
Reader Poll: What do you wish you could do at work for the first time?
"Probably go out with my patients for a simple thing like eating outside or going to a restaurant they like. We try to give them ...
The invisible heroes
They were seniors, so I suppose they were used to being invisible. They were also veterans — a double-whammy. Add in the fact that most ...
Resident care
Study: antipsychotics being funneled to aging residents
Despite the potential side effects, seniors are more likely to be treated with antipsychotic medications the older they get.
Seniors benefit from taking fewer meds
Two new studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggest doctors should focus on working with some at-risk patients to cut back on medications that treat ...
Company news
CareTrust REIT pays $177 M to boost skilled care holdings
CareTrust REIT has completed the acquisition of a $177 million skilled nursing portfolio from Liberty Healthcare in Ohio, the company confirmed in October.
IPC acquires hospitalist
Post-acute provider and hospitalist staffing firm IPC Healthcare has acquired Chicago-based Hospital Medicine Consultants LLC, the companies announced in late October.
Vendor news
Relias Learning continues to purchase online learning foes
Relias Learning has completed the acquisition of fellow professional education company RediLearning. The deal will allow 400 new senior care courses to be merged into ...
Nutrition program for dementia debuts
Fresh Bites from Unidine debuted this fall as a comprehensive nutrition program designed for memory care patients.
The big picture
Just a part of the job?
Who has the most dangerous jobs in America? Police officers? Firefighters? Loggers? How about healthcare workers?
Editor’s desk
Secrets to motivating staff as easy as 1-2-3
Best-selling author Daniel Pink laid it on the line at the recent LeadingAge annual meeting to vividly illustrate why simple "if-then" reward scenarios — which ...
Profile
Profile: Terri Cunliffe
A few weeks after becoming the first female chief executive at Covenant Retirement Communities in June, Terri Cunliffe found herself chatting with a fellow passenger ...
