March 2017 38 3 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
March 2017 edition of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
Where are they now?
Where Are They Now: Signature HealthCARE of Fentress County
If telehealth is the future, Signature HealthCARE of Fentress County is already in the time machine.
News
11th Online Expo rolls out the red carpet
Long-term care's virtual trade show continues its record-setting run with another round of top-rate educational sessions, up to 5 free CE credits, vendor booths and ...
Verma: Fraud a hefty priority
Seema Verma, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said during her Feb. 16 confirmation hearing that tackling healthcare ...
Trump aide: Medicaid grants will cut fraud
In a possible sign of what providers might be able to expect regarding Medicaid funding changes, White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said in late ...
High Court to hear SNF case
The U.S. Supreme Court was scheduled to hear arguments in late February in a nursing home arbitration lawsuit that could alter the industry's future, close ...
Brain meds use soars in seniors
More seniors are taking three or more medicines that affect the brain, according to new research.
CHF protocol shows promise
A new treatment regimen for congestive heart failure patients in skilled nursing facilities reduced hospital admissions from 31% to 7% over seven months.
Final rule deadlines branded 'unrealistic'
Long-term care providers are "gravely concerned" over the recent publication of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' final rule for nursing homes, LeadingAge said ...
Judge finalizes HHS Jimmo fix
A U.S. District Court judge accepted the Department of Health and Human Services' plan to better explain grounds of the historic Jimmo settlement — with ...
ACA repeal, Medicaid block grants face hot discussion
Congressional Republicans met in mid-February to try to discern new details of replacement provisions for the Affordable Care Act, but various questions including about the ...
Immigration order 'chilling,' groups say
President Donald Trump's executive order in January aimed at curtailing immigration raised red flags for at least two medical associations specializing in eldercare.
State News
State News for March 2017
NORTH DAKOTA — The state's 80 senior care centers faced a difficult choice when they agreed with a proposed 5% surcharge on the services they ...
Features
Finding loose change
There are many ways to improve efficiency, keep staff happy and save money in the laundry room. Providers just have to look for them — ...
Parts science, humanity
Curbing incontinence requires more than theories or formulas; providers find answers to some of their toughest problems by using both head and heart
60 Seconds with...
60 Seconds with ... Stephen J. Maag
Q: What's changed with regard to movie licensing in long-term care?
Ask the care expert
Ask the Care Expert about ... choosing dressings
With thousands of dressings on the market, which is the best for wound healing?
Wound care
Skin grafting method stops chronic wound recurrence
A recently developed skin graft treatment may help speed up the healing process for chronic wounds like pressure sores and diabetic ulcers — and keep ...
Opioids may slow down wound healing
People with chronic wounds who are prescribed opioids to treat their pain may experience slower healing than those who don't receive the drugs, according to ...
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the Nursing Expert about ... fostering critical thinking
Some nurses struggle with critical clinical thinking, especially my newer nurses. The clinical orientation process mainly focuses on teaching how to document and reviews core ...
Nursing
Benefit of enforced worker flu shots overblown: study
Reviewers of four trials often used to support mandatory flu vaccination policies for long-term care workers say the benefits were overstated. But the lead researcher ...
Aides want more EOL care involvement
Frontline workers often are the first to notice dementia patients' pain and detect changes in their behavior, but a new study finds long-term care and ...
Ask the payment expert
Ask the Payment Expert about ... preparing for the new requirements and surveys
What do we need to do to prepare for the new regulations and survey process?
Payment & policy
GAO reports assail Medicaid oversight, provider vetting
The Government Accountability Office recently issued a pair of reports within days of one another critical of how the Medicaid program gathers data and screens ...
BCPI ups quality: analysis
A recent analysis shines a positive light on value-based care models such as federal hip and knee replacement bundled payment programs.
Ask the legal expert
Ask the Legal Expert about ... the ACA repeal's effect on value-based contracting
Will President Trump's "repeal and replace" Obamacare campaign pledge impact or modify value-based contracting?
Legal Matters
Trump's Supreme Court pick may spar with CMS over regs
President Donald Trump's nominee for Supreme Court Justice recently sided with providers against federal agencies, a fact that should provoke joy in long-term care circles, ...
Worker class-action lawsuits on the rise?
Employers may face "significant challenges" in 2017 related to workers bringing class-action lawsuits against them.
Design
Design Decisions: Manchester Commons
A 60-year-old property sorely needed an upgrade and now has a resident-friendly layout that offers convenience and comfort.
How to do it…
How to do it... Evaluating and choosing IT
Information technology evaluation and selection can be intimidating. But as seasoned IT professionals advise, a thorough and thoughtful process — from developing a roadmap to ...
A day in the life
Red, white and blue bash
President Donald Trump was in two places at one time on Jan. 20 — his inauguration in Washington, D.C., and The Summit at Plantsville in ...
Technology
Walking tied to word game may boost seniors' activity
An iPad-based game connecting seniors with walking is showing promise and being evaluated for a larger community trial, according to a feasibility study.
Opinion
Reader Poll: What do you do either before or after you take vacation to really help yourself?
"A week before, I am focused on tying up loose ends, and I delegate things I know are coming so when I get back, they'll ...
Where the rubber meets the road
I've been thinking a lot about tires today. Mostly because I can. And because my brain hurts from pondering possible PPS changes, Ultra-High therapy billing, ...
Company news
Genesis, Kindred team up to tackle outcomes, transitions
Two of the country's largest post-acute care providers are joining forces in an effort to improve quality and care transitions.
2016 deals in LTC boomed
Long-term care transactions had the largest deal volume and value of any healthcare sector last year, according to a recent report.
Vendor news
'Smart' alerts serve to boost labor efficiency, cut waste
New GOJO SMARTLINK Service Alerts allow providers to reduce waste and maximize the efficiency of environmental service workers, according to results of a pilot project.
New call product aimed at smaller SNFs
RCare has debuted a wireless call solution, titled the BCube Nurse Call Platform, specifically geared toward small skilled nursing and assisted living communities.
The big picture
This Price is no bargain
Dr. Tom Price recently became Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Long-term care operators should cast a wary eye for two reasons: ...
Editor’s desk
You've earned this, so now sit back and enjoy
I have to admit it: My love for the game of golf has waned lately. My fascination with it started as a young boy, watching ...
Profile
Profile: Steve Fromm
Steve Fromm's journey to long-term care administrator and board chairman of the American College of Health Care Administrators is one that has crisscrossed oceans and ...
