July 2017 38 7 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
July 2017 issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
Where are they now?
Where are they now? Asbury Communities
The five years since Maryland-based Asbury Communities won a Silver Award in the McKnight's Technology Awards Program for its use of electronic health records software ...
big picture
Reform's new 'lynchpin'
The long-term care sector is reeling a bit, thanks to two recent developments.
News
Transitions and quality command center stage as experts examine post-acute care's future
Few will dispute the value of ensuring patients are optimally treated and attended to as they move across care settings.
Arbitration win suits providers
The Trump administration announced that it was abandoning an Obama-era rule that would outlaw pre-dispute arbitration agreements, initiating a celebration by long-term care providers.
CMS gives guidance on emergency prep
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published guidance in June in advance of its final emergency preparedness rule for providers.
SNF occupancy to bottom out?
If current trends continue, occupancy rates in skilled nursing facilities could be headed to new lows this year, said analysts from the National Investment Center ...
Legionnaires' traced to LTC
Long-term care facilities were the largest single source of Legionnaires' disease cases in healthcare facilities in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and ...
McKnight's honored again
McKnight's Long-Term Care News won four national awards at the 2017 American Society of Business Publication Editors competition.
Expert rips need for CON laws
Ending nursing home certificate-of-need laws could spur innovation within the sector, one expert argued in a published journal piece in June.
Vendor to pay $155M in first-of-kind case
An electronic health records vendor accused of paying kickbacks and selling its software even though it wasn't certified will pay $155 million to settle legal ...
GOP health bill gets tougher on Medicaid
It was unclear at press time whether Senate Republicans could reach 50 votes needed for passage of a controversial healthcare bill that would involve deep ...
Trump budget wields more Medicaid cuts than expected
Providers who first thought they would be on uncommonly good footing with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House were stunned earlier ...
Reader Poll: How do you create time for yourself?
"Instead of taking one big vacation each year, I enjoy getting away for several long weekends — whether it's to a local destination or somewhere ...
State News
State News for July 2017
Illinois must reprioritize payments in order to make a dent in its $2 billion backlog of bills owed to Medicaid providers, including long-term care operators, ...
Features
Through thick and thin
Age, health declines may lead to skin breakdowns, but judicious use of products paired with nutritional and incontinence interventions can lessen the pain
Winning 'curb appeal'
Common area appearances are the valuable opportunity to entice and impress prospective clients and their family members both before and long after move-in
60 Seconds with...
60 Seconds with... Denise Likar VP, SCAN's Community Service Organization
Q: How many seniors are estimated to have a mental health concern?
Ask the care expert
Ask The Care Expert about ... antibiograms
We're starting an antibiotic stewardship program at our facility and I was told that as the head nurse, I should be using our "antibiogram." I ...
Resident care
Program cut CAUTIs by 54%, study finds
A safety-focused program for skilled nursing facilities helped reduce the rate of catheter associated urinary tract infections by 54%.
Take families' observations seriously, researchers urge
Skilled nursing residents' family members may be the key to helping reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, according to a recent study.
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the Treatment Expert about ... pressure injuries
What type of tissue is found in a pressure injury?
Wound care
New trial backs enzymatic debridement
Researchers have confirmed the use of clostridial collagenase ointment in enzymatic debridement can help treat hard-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers.
Machine shines a light on wound and trauma detection
Using lights of varying wavelengths could help clinicians assess tissue damage with greater accuracy.
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the Nursing Expert about ... policies and procedures
How can I simplify the policies and procedures at my facility to make them more user-friendly?
Nursing
Control could offset fatigue problems
The best way to combat universal fatigue among nurses might be to grant them more control over their schedules.
Ask the payment expert
Ask The Payment Expert about ... Phase 2 of the Requirements of Participation
When does Phase 2 of the Requirements of Participation start and should we be concerned?
Payment & policy
Family wins camera case
The Minnesota Department of Health ruled against a provider recently in a closely watched case involving a surveillance camera in a resident room.
MedPAC calls for payment reforms to come even earlier
Federal lawmakers' advisory panel for Medicare made it official in its report to Congress in June: It recommends implementation of a unified post-acute payment system ...
Ask the legal expert
Ask The Legal Expert about ... compliance programs
What's needed for a vibrant compliance program in today's increasingly scrutinized legal climate?
Legal Matters
Omnicare settles kickback, FCA cases for $31 million
Long-term care pharmacy giant Omnicare agreed to pay a total of $31 million in May to settle allegations it submitted false claims and accepted kickbacks ...
Court: CNAs' overtime case may continue
A lawsuit alleging a New Jersey skilled nursing facility underpaid its certified nursing assistants for overtime and meal breaks may continue, the United States Court ...
How to do it…
How to do it... Boosting retention
Providers are increasingly realizing they need to apply some of the "TLC" for residents to their hard-working staff, as well — or risk absenteeism and ...
A day in the life
Technology
Advance directive app wins big in HHS tech competition
A program that allows consumers to develop and securely share their end-of-life plans with caregivers and healthcare providers is among the winners of the Department ...
Opinion
APM paradise found
Everyone's talking about Alternative Payment Models (APMs) these days. Providers. Consultants. Cab drivers. Baristas. Everyone.
Company news
Sabra Health Care, CCP to team up in $7.4 billion deal
Care Capital Properties and Sabra Health Care REIT will join forces to create a "premier" healthcare real estate investment trust, the companies announced in May.
SNF deals hit $500 million
Transactions within the nursing care sector reached $500 million in the first quarter of 2017, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & ...
Vendor news
Relias expands further into analytics
Relias Learning has bought Idaho-based WhiteCloud Analytics, the company announced in June.
Vendors helping nudge HR operations away from paper
For all the push for providers to move to electronic health records, the process of hiring and onboarding employees still often requires paper.
Editor’s desk
One threat removed, but even bigger one remains
Make no mistake: Long-term care providers will take a victory wherever they can, and the Trump administration's move to rescind the Obama administration's ban on ...
Profile
Profile: Amanda Kistler
Amanda Kistler is embarrassed to admit what first spiked her interest in nursing, but it's a story as charming as she is.
