February 2012 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
February 2012 print issue cover
News
Cuts illustrate need for new business models, experts say
As the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and other groups seek to trim public funding for long-term care, the industry needs to mesh with new, strong ...
3 LTC groups make leadership changes
Three major long-term care organizations recently announced changes to their senior leadership.
Santorum: Let's get rid of CMS
Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum says it's time to eliminate the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Programs administered at least in part by CMS ...
Obama leans left in NLRB appointments
Anti-unionization proponents are wincing at the recess appointments of two new members of the National Labor Relations Board. The pair are viewed as strong union ...
Bingo may help with cognition
Using large, high-contrast bingo cards improves cognitive skills and visual perception, a study finds.
Legionnaires' dries fountains
Healthcare facilities should shut down indoor decorative fountains to avoid the spread of Legionnaires' disease, according to a new study.
RNs may need 4-year degree
A firestorm of commentary broke out last month upon news that New York lawmakers might soon again debate a bill that would require registered nurses ...
Providers trail on MDS prep
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is paying very close attention to therapy payment claims, and that's something more providers need to do, says ...
MedPAC takes an axe to provider payments
Many Washington politicians are railing against healthcare costs. Nobody can say their rhetoric isn't being heard by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
State News
Governor earmarks funds for SNFs in budget
Due partly to the average 11.1% reduction in Medicare payments to nursing homes that took effect in October, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) is ...
Features
Talking up speech language pathology
Despite low profiles, speech professionals have assumed expanded roles and are making increasingly critical contributions to rehab regimens.
No pain = all gain
When it comes to dispensing pain relief meds to residents, the old methods are no longer viewed as sufficient. Better medication management is key.
60 Seconds with...
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the treatment expert: What are the key points of caring for venous stasis wounds?
Risk factors that may contribute to development of venous stasis ulcers include history of leg swelling, varicose veins, history of blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, ...
Wound care
Hidden autoimmune disease often prevents healing: study
Residents with wounds that won't heal also might have undiagnosed immune system problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, according to investigators at Georgetown University Hospital in ...
Deficits in proposed ulcer cure, FDA says
The Food & Drug Administration recently sent a "major deficiency letter" to Sanuwave. Federal regulators said the company's application for a noninvasive foot therapy to ...
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the nursing expert: What can I do to support professional growth?
Focus on commitment and ensuring a culture of support. I find that sharing your commitment to providing the best care in an atmosphere of continuous ...
Nursing
Lack of geographic mobility among nurses hurts access
Nurses' lack of mobility — the relationship between where they received training and where they ultimately end up making their living — can lead to ...
Juggling work shifts raises diabetes risk
Women who work three or more night shifts per month, in addition to day and evening working hours in that month, have a higher risk ...
Ask the payment expert
Ask the payment expert: How do I know if I need to complete a Change of Therapy OMRA?
The Change of Therapy (COT) OMRA means that each therapy resident is always in a "look back" period. When an assessment is completed, either a ...
Payment & policy
CMS warns providers not to skip resident interviews
Skilled nursing operators, apparently overwhelmed or defiant, have not been completing resident interviews as mandated by the new MDS 3.0 resident assessment tool, a top ...
Coordinated care pushed
Authors of a new report recommend creating an integrated care model for dual-eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The result would be better coordinated care, and ...
Ask the legal expert
Ask the legal expert: What legal considerations should providers ponder before joining an ACO?
Your organization can add value by integrating with acute care providers, in an ACO or otherwise, and ensuring that individuals receive efficient, high-quality care as ...
Legal Matters
Sun reaches settlement over worker vacation payments
Sun Healthcare will pay more than $60,000 in a settlement over a failure to pay vacation wages to former employees, the Massachusetts Attorney General said ...
Feds say hospice firm erred in enrollments
The federal government has joined a whistleblower complaint that alleges a major hospice company defrauded Medicare.
Pursuing excellence
Smart Money: Seeing through rates
Rates of return are often used as a benchmark for investment performance. As Joan Dixon, CFO of Morningside Ministries in San Antonio, TX, says, "performance ...
Design
All roads lead to home
One facility's new wandering garden assists caregivers by ensuring residents don't get lost while exploring the space's sights and sounds.
How to do it…
How to do it...Wound care
All long-term care nurses and aides need to consider themselves wound care "specialists." It also helps if caregivers can get residents engaged in facets of ...
A day in the life
A Day in the Life: Culture change for a younger set
If you were to visit the young adult care unit at Ecumen Bayshore Health Center, in Duluth, MN, chances are that Lady Gaga would be ...
I couldn't live without...
I couldn't live without...The Compliance Store
Prior to subscribing to The Compliance Store's comprehensive database of regulatory documents and manuals, Barbara Baxter, an administrator, used to rely on periodicals and communications ...
Technology
Meager resource allocation can sink tech efforts: CAST
High expenses and poor internal collaboration often undermine provider efforts to implement new technology initiatives, according to a report from LeadingAge's Center for Aging Services ...
Company news
Ventas acquires buildings; stockholder to sell off stake
The agreement means holders of shares of Cogdell common stock will receive $4.25 per share. This represents a premium of 8% to Cogdell's closing price ...
Henry to lead RehabCare
Kindred Healthcare Inc. announced in December that Pat Henry has replaced Chris Bird as president of the RehabCare division.
Vendor news
Marketing by hospices to be focus of federal investigation
Federal officials plan to spend more time this year examining how hospices market themselves to nursing homes, according to a 2012 work plan released by ...
GE, Microsoft to launch health data firm
Microsoft announced that it will partner with General Electric to form a new company that makes healthcare information more accessible. The partners said they hope ...
The big picture
Making a big difference
About a decade ago, Monster.com unveiled a brilliant ad campaign. The spots were black and white vignettes in which children talked about their aspirations. But ...
Editor’s desk
Online Expo the answer for cabin fever, and more
With warmer days of spring around the corner, now is the perfect time to hunker down and get your professional affairs in order. I have ...
Profile
Still a caregiver at heart
The new leader of the American Hospital Association's Governing Council for Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation has been a chief executive officer for the past 15 ...
