February 2018 39 2 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
February 2018 issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
Where are they now?
Southminster
Since winning bronze from the McKnight's Tech Awards in 2014 for its use of an in-room communication system, Southminster in Charlotte, NC, has embraced increased ...
big picture
These 3 won't happen
There's nothing quite like a new calendar to get media types acting like story forecasters. What might be more helpful is a brief list of ...
News
Industry push to end therapy cap limits has come up short
Providers and Medicare Part B beneficiaries were hoping for a reprieve at press time from therapy caps that kicked into full effect when Congress failed ...
An ER visit can signal decline
Visiting the emergency room can signal the beginning of serious health challenges for an older person even when he or she is not admitted, researchers ...
Anxiety is tied to Alzheimer's
Anxiety symptoms that increase over time have been linked to elevated amyloid beta levels and the early signs of Alzheimer's, according to Brigham and Women's ...
Less heads in the beds: NIC
How low can it go? That's a question many operators are ask- ing in the wake of a report by the National Investment Center for ...
Providers accused of profit-hiding schemes
Nursing home critics are driving for deeper investigation into how operators "reward" themselves with lucrative self-dealing contracts while allegedly keeping staffing levels low.
Top expert will highlight Expo
Providers have long struggled with offering telehealth due to reimbursement limitations. But the landscape is changing.
State News
Features
Rehabbing rehab
With the RCS-1 model focused on eliminating minutes and putting pressure on operators, providers brace for evolutionary change in therapy payment rules
E-prescribing grows up
Accountability and better, user-friendly systems encourage a new wave of e-prescribing adoptions among long-term care providers, despite old challenges
60 Seconds with...
Keely Macmillan, BPCI General Manager, Archway Health
Q: The new federal Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced program precludes long-term care post-acute care providers [LTPACs] from owning the bundles. What should we ...
Ask the care expert
Ask the Care Expert about ... limiting visits during flu season
We are trying to meet with our families and staff about visiting our facility when they don't feel well or someone in your family has ...
Resident care
Nurses modify meds as 'necessary evil'
A study of geriatric care nurses found that many still crush medications, split doses or otherwise modify orally administered medicines — a practice they see ...
Collaborative helps prevent catheter-related infections
A national preventive program that promotes evidence-based infection prevention and control practices can curb the risk of infection by streamlining the dissemination of information to ...
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the Treatment Expert about ... benchmarking data for a pressure injury program
How can I use benchmarking data to improve my pressure injury program?
Wound care
Polyfoam dressing curbs PU incidence
An adhesive, polyurethane foam dressing can help prevent the onset of pressure ulcers at the sacrum of elderly patients with hip fracture, an Italian study ...
Hoist sling materials can reduce pressure ulcer risk
Staff often leave patients who use wheelchairs seated on the hoist slings required to get them there.
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the Nursing Expert about ... documentation for new survey regulations
For years I have referred to the State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix P for guidance on the survey process. But the Centers for Medicare & ...
Nursing
Training feasible even when cash is tight
Videoconferencing is one of the best ways to make ongoing education for geriatric workers more feasible, a study at a for-profit skilled nursing facility in ...
Study: RNs better trained to identify high-risk Rx errors
Registered nurses may be more likely than licensed practical nurses to identify high-risk medication errors in nursing homes, new research suggests.
Ask the payment expert
Ask the Payment Expert about ... new and old survey processes
With the new survey process, does that mean other survey types have gone away?
Payment & policy
New bundled pay model puts new limits on PAC providers
Long-term care providers have had their wings clipped under terms of a new voluntary bundled pay model unveiled in mid-January.
Ask the legal expert
Ask the Legal Expert about... taking pictures of staff
Can a client or patient take pictures of staff sleeping or relaxing on the job, or of his personal belongings?
Legal Matters
How to do it…
Managing airborne bugs
With so much attention paid to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and items like linens, infection control-minded facilities often over- look the source of more than ...
A day in the life
A Day In the Life: Taking a walk on the virtual side
As the leaves were falling outside Ebenezer Minneapolis last fall, a new reality was taking hold inside.
Technology
Seniors take center stage at this year's electronics show
Using wearable technology to serve an aging population safely and efficiently appeared to be one of the running themes at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show ...
Opinion
Things I Think: Getting good reception
Like Stonehenge or the concept of truth, I'm an ancient relic of another time, so I clearly remember my family's first primitive television.
Company news
Judge relieves Consulate of $350M FCA verdict penalty
A federal judge erased a $347 million False Claims Act verdict against a rehab provider because the judge felt it was unlikely that government would ...
SNF scolded for rescue
A Syracuse, NY, nursing facility was called out by state surveyors after five nurses failed to consult a resident's chart, which contained a do-not-resuscitate order, ...
Vendor news
Improved fall monitoring system to debut
A new system for preventing falls is coming this month from a long-time industry veteran.
Editor’s desk
LTC makes the Top 10, and figures to stay there
Recently, we were all inundated with lists of things to look for in 2018, not to mention "best of" 2017 compilations.
Profile
Profile: Sharon McDermond
Sharon McDermond had just started a new job as director of continuing care at Ann's Choice, an Erickson Living community, when she received devastating news.
