January 2018 39 1 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
January 2018 issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
Where are they now?
Where Are They Now?: Morning Pointe Assisted Living
Morning Pointe Assisted Living in Tennessee touted the benefits of its Meaningful Day program and SimpleC technology platform to earn a Gold Award in McKnight's ...
News
Skilled nursing occupancy rate hits 5-year low
Occupancy levels in skilled care settings dropped to a five-year low of 81.6% in the third quarter, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors ...
A sick way to reduce readmission burden?
A growing number of hospitals have found a novel way to reduce readmission rates: insist that patients are sicker than they really are.
Racial divide in end-of-life care
At the end of their lives, AfricanAmericans are more likely to have been admitted to a hospital, land in the ER and discontinue hospice care.
A good attitude can add years
Living longer may be correlated to optimism, stubbornness and bonds with family, religion and land, according to a new study.
Penalty delay for some tags
Long-term care providers have 18 months to adapt to some of the Phase 2 requirements of participation without facing penalties, the Centers for Medicare & ...
GOP sets sights on Medicare, Medicaid
Just before tax-reform victory in December, House GOP leaders said their next target would be "entitlement reform" that trims outlays for the Medicare, Medicaid and ...
Self-reporting raises doubts
Are nursing homes fudging their staf fing and quality numbers to obtain more favorable Five-Star ratings?
State News
State News for January 2018
Increasing Medicaid rates to Florida nursing homes is a "very strong priority" in the upcoming state legislative session, the state Senate president said ...
Features
An IT game changer
Readmission rates are being attacked from all sides, and that includes by information technology and software suppliers. Here's a provider guide to 'teching-up'
60 Seconds with...
Ask the care expert
Ask the Care Expert about ... infection prevention
We are working hard on infection prevention at my facility. Do you have any ideas on how to really make staff think about how important ...
Resident care
More hospice providers not always better
Having more hospice providers working with a nursing home doesn't necessarily reduce end-of-life hospitalizations.
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the Treatment Expert about ... temporary care plans
What should be on our temporary care plan for skin integrity?
Wound care
Low-intensity workouts help wound healing for diabetics
Low-power exercise may be the key to speeding wound healing rates in patients with diabetes, a new study suggests.
Timing of wounds could impact healing
Injuries sustained during the day likely heal faster than those that occur during the night due to human internal biological clocks
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the Nursing Expert about ... going alarm-free
Our facility is trying to go alarm-free, but some sta ff are reluctant to stop using alarms. Any suggestions?
Nursing
Reframe the 'lost pleasure' of giving up smoking: study
With increased pressure on nursing homes to become smoke-free environments or create safe spaces for residents to smoke, residents and employees may both feel greater ...
Treatment of staff correlates to sickness
While long-term care providers juggle staffing during cold and flu season, research indicates there may be a factor in their control: How they treat staff.
Ask the payment expert
Ask the payment expert about ... probe and educate reviews
Are the probe and educate reviews occurring only in home health agencies or in skilled nursing facilities as well?
Payment & policy
SNFs can prosper after CMS' bundled pay postponement
Skilled nursing providers should capitalize on the opportunities presented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' plans to roll out more voluntary payment initiatives, ...
GAO seeks anti-fraud plan
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should beef up its fraud-fighting efforts with a risk-based antifraud strategy for Medicare and Medicaid, the Government Accountability ...
Ask the legal expert
Ask the legal expert about ... employees' social media choices
One of our employees has public photos on Facebook where he's in drag, and a board member complained. How should we tackle employees doing potentially ...
Legal Matters
CNA sues for firing after she reported resident's claims
A former certified nursing assistant at an Illinois continuing care retirement community is suing her ex-employer for more than $75,000 and reinstatement of her job, ...
$6.9M to settle kickback, fraud claims
Four San Diego facilities owned by California's largest nursing home operator will pay $6.9 million to resolve civil allegations that their employees paid kickbacks for ...
Design
A 'boutique experience'
Stratford Commons believes SNF residents deserve the same stylish décor and ambient atmosphere that senior living residents get
How to do it…
Home-like end-of-life care
As family and friends gather near a loved one in the closing days, a warm and comfortable environment can do wonders for soothing frayed nerves ...
A day in the life
A Day in the Life: Oh, the places they'll go
It began in 2011 with one resident's request: He wanted to visit Disney World.
Technology
FDA approves antipsychotic that includes tracking sensor
The Food and Drug Administration approved a new type of antipsychotic pill in November that is able to share information about when it was taken ...
Opinion
The conscience of tech
Remember those innocent days when long-term care was hopelessly tech-phobic, and EHR was just a quick way to tell 911 your facility was under attack ...
Resident care
Weight control program may help reverse Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can be reversed following an intensive weight management program even six years post-diagnosis.
Company news
Humana buys Kindred to build home health inroads
Kindred Healthcare has not only slid off the skilled nursing radar, it's also been sold — to insurer Humana Inc. and two private equity partners.
Major merger in discussion
Two huge hospital operators with a significant stake in long-term care could combine to create the largest U.S. hospital owner.
The big picture
It was a matter of pride
For most of his adult life, my dad was an operating engineer for Sears Roebuck & Company.
Editor’s desk
Finally, a list you'll want your company's name on
Long-term care providers can start getting their own special recognition this fall in a customized Fortune magazine "Top Workplaces" list.
Profile
Profile: Joseph DeMattos Jr.
Joseph DeMattos Jr., President and CEO Health Facilities Association of Maryland
