July 2015 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
News
Nursing groups outline ways to remedy staffing shortages
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found at least 2.5 million more long-term care workers will be needed by 2030 to keep pace ...
Flu vaccine tweaks aim at more protection
The flu vaccination for the upcoming season is being tweaked for broader protection, due to last year's inconsistent coverage of influenza strains, U.S. health officials ...
Therapy claims, ED transfers: OIG focus
The Office of Inspector General will be taking a closer look at several important long-term care subject areas and practices, according to its Fiscal Year ...
McKnight's wins Apex 'Grand'
McKnight's Long-Term Care News has been recognized for its print magazine, columns and "McKnight's Daily Editors' Notes" in the 2015 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence ...
Workers often MRSA carriers
About one in four nursing home residents are carriers of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Bad sleep links to Alzheimer's
Lack of sleep in old age may contribute to Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.
RAC overhaul bill approved
The Senate Finance Committee has approved legislation aimed at changing how questionable Medicare payments are handled by Recovery Audit Contractors.
Nursing shortage to challenge operators
In 15 years, at least 2.5 million more long-term care workers will be needed to keep pace with the resulting increase in caregiving demands, according ...
Providers fume over pay freeze
Long-term care providers quickly fired back after a congressional advisory committee recommended no Medicare pay increase for the coming year.
State News
State News for July 2015
Long-term care providers are hailing a new state law that requires hospitals to inform seniors about their hospital-admission status.
Features
Personal furniture
Not too hard, not too soft: Future selections for seniors will emphasize choice and style while embracing function to a higher degree than ever before, ...
Skin in the MDS game
Skin care and continence assessment are two of the most challenging sections of the Minimum Data Set. Here's how to generate positive outcomes
60 Seconds with...
60 seconds with ... Debbie Smith
Q: State lawmakers have enacted policies aimed at reducing falls among older adults. Where do things stand now?
Ask the care expert
Ask the Care Expert ... about safety training
We are looking to improve the safety of the residents at our facilities, with regard to falls and safety. Do you have a suggestion for ...
Ask the treatment expert
Wound care
Foot casts may limit harm caused by neuroarthropathy
Serial casting, which typically uses plaster or fiberglass casts to correct pediatric deformities while the bones are more pliable, could be used to effectively treat ...
Oxidizing spray treatment shows promise
Acid oxidizing spray Nexodyn may be used to control the local bioburden of infected chronic lower leg wounds, and help wounds reset and restart the ...
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the nursing expert ... narcotic destruction
Long-term care facilities all seem to do narcotic destruction a little differently. Could you tell me how to do it to make sure I protect ...
Nursing
Study sheds light on dangers of working second, third shifts
Workers whose hours fall outside of a traditional 9-to-5 schedule may be more susceptible to sleep- and weight-related health issues, according to a new study ...
Bill would require RN on duty at all times
The American Nurses Association recently announced its support for a bill that could require nursing homes to have a registered nurse on duty around the ...
Ask the payment expert
Ask the payment expert ... about administrative financial knowledge
How important is it for department managers to understand financial information?
Payment & policy
3-day rule waiver in new ACO rule; LTC to take on more risk
Federal regulators have upped the ante for providers taking part in an accountable care organization model, with potentially more money going into long-term care.
Managed care: Fear awaits
The White House Office of Management and Budget review has passed an ambitious new policy that could radically overhaul the Medicaid managed care system.
Ask the legal expert
Ask the legal expert ... about Medicaid reimbursements
Our state is continually late with Medicaid reimbursements, for whatever reason. Can we sue to get some satisfaction? What can we do to help ourselves?
Legal Matters
Court: HCR ManorCare QAPI reports must be turned over
A ruling by the West Virginia Supreme Court as to which nursing home internal documents are fair game in lawsuits has providers around the country ...
Largest SNF settlement payment: $17M
A Florida skilled nursing facility chain will pay $17 million to settle Medicare fraud allegations, the largest amount ever paid, according to the Department of ...
Design
Continuum is complete
Edgewood Summit builds a new memory care addition in order to fully round out its healthcare mission for West Virginia residents.
How to do it…
How to do it ... Wound care staff education
Few issues confronting long-term care administrators are more thoroughly vetted and researched than proper wound care techniques.
A day in the life
Sailing through 'Wish of Lifetime'
As a little girl, Rhode Island resident Shirley Payne loved to be on the water.
I couldn't live without...
I couldn't live without ... Vikus
Hiring staff, especially in clinical positions, has become much easier at Noland Health Services since it moved to using Vikus a year ago, recruiter Chris ...
Technology
Tablets helping seniors cross 'digital divide,' study asserts
Recent research has shown the use of tablet computers among seniors has helped them break the "digital divide" barrier.
Opinion
Resident care
A personalized playlist seen as key to longer workouts
Helping residents make a personalized, tempo-based music playlist may help them better stay on track during cardiac rehabilitation, according to a study published in May's ...
Medical marijuana may not aid dementia
Behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, or wandering, may not be helped by medical marijuana pills, research suggests.
Company news
NorthStar adding 15 CCRCs: Portfolio now tops $2 billion
NorthStar Healthcare Income Inc. closed on a $639.3 million portfolio of continuing care retirement communities in mid-June.
Vendor news
After snapping up Omnicare, CVS enters as major player
Retail behemoth CVS announced in May it will acquire Omnicare, the long-term care industry's largest institutional pharmacy company, for $10.4 billion.
Apps help with pain, hearing, supplies
A flurry of apps released or updated this spring may help long-term care providers improve care.
The big picture
Reasons to lawyer up
When you provide long-term care services, lawsuits pretty much come with the territory.
Editor’s desk
After Omnicare deal, all eyes turn to PharMerica
It's an odd thing to see the king of the jungle become the hunted instead of the hunter. But that's what happened when CVS announced ...
Profile
Profile: Tammy Barker
As Tammy Barker, RN, has climbed through the ranks in long-term care nursing, there have been literal obstacles.
