October 2017 38 10 Issue of McKnight's Long Term Care News
October 2017 issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
Where are they now?
Where Are They Now: Charles E. Smith Life Communities
Charles E. Smith Life Communities scored a Gold Award in the Dignity category of McKnight's 2015 Technology Awards for its use of custom interactive memory ...
Analysis
Salaries for admins near $107k, DONs $93k
By most indications, the U.S. economy is humming along, following years of recession and recovery. That robustness has had a lopsided effect on nursing homes, ...
News
Hatch targets dubious care
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has demanded information on nursing home abuse and neglect from the Department of Health and Human Services.
DACA's fate worries healthcare industry
A potential hemorrhage of workers from the healthcare sector could be held off if a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals arises ...
Critics: Gaps in 'Compare' site
The federal website that informs consumers about specific nursing homes has "considerable" knowledge gaps, a pair of prominent Harvard University researchers asserted recently.
Tool predicts fracture risk
A new tool has shown promise in predicting fracture risk among long-term care residents.
MDROs tied to infection rates
New research indicates almost half of nursing home residents had more than one multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) in or on them.
Groups call for delay of 'costly' mega-rule
The next phases of the new requirements of participation should be delayed to relieve burden on providers, LeadingAge told lawmakers in late August.
SNF need greater than thought
Americans have a higher probability of needing skilled nursing care than previously thought, according to new research.
Former executives sued by ASC for 'looting' company
First, federal officials sought and received indictments of former top officers of American Senior Communities. Now, it's the company's turn to go after them.
SNF: Rogue volunteers took residents
A nursing home was fighting allegations it didn't have an evacuation plan in place during Hurricane Harvey.
State News
State News for October 2017
At least nine residents of a Florida nursing home died after their facility lost air conditioning following Hurricane Irma, authorities said in mid-September.
Features
Emergency! Prep time
As deadline nears, providers and vendors ramp up education, training and drills
60 Seconds with...
60 Seconds with ... Tom Coble
Q: What are you most proud of about the past two years as AHCA chairman?
Ask the care expert
Ask the Care Expert about ... ABSSSI
What is an ABSSSI? Doctors have been writing this as diagnosis on our post-acute residents.
Resident care
CMS clarifies staffing, care link under broad mega-rule
What is the definition of sufficient staffing in a nursing home?
Glove use tied to better infection control
Certified nurse assistants who practice frequent glove use may be the key to hampering the spread of dangerous pathogens, according to a study published in ...
Ask the treatment expert
Ask the Treatment Expert about ... pressure ulcer policies
What are the significant changes from F314 Pressure Sores to F686 Skin Integrity, "Pressure Ulcers," which takes effect in November?
Wound care
Danger afoot: Phone pics not reliable enough for ulcer care
Australian researchers are warning that mobile phone images should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic instrument for remote assessment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Curly-fiber briefs could bring care relief
Incontinence briefs made with spiral-shaped fibers can acidify the skin of older nursing home patients, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota ...
Ask the nursing expert
Ask the Nursing Expert about ... behavioral difficulties
I heard that nursing homes can get cited for causing residents to have behavioral difficulties. Can you explain?
Nursing
Clinical staff more critical of safety inside nursing homes
Nursing home administrators perceive a better safety culture in their facility than clinical staff, according to a new report.
Longer work weeks are heart unhealthy
For many long-term care nurses, the idea of working only 40 hours a week, even with scheduled shifts, may seem laughable.
Ask the payment expert
Ask the Payment Expert about ... Mega-rule expenses
I'm concerned with the new mega- rule expenses and that maybe I need to rethink my need for SNF beds. What are your thoughts?
Payment & policy
MedPAC mulls bigger role for hospital discharge planners
Hospital discharge planners may get more flexibility in placing nursing home residents under ideas being considered by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
SNF networks show worth
Hospitals that used a network of preferred skilled nursing facility partners reduced their readmission rates four times faster than hospitals that didn't, a study in ...
Ask the legal expert
Ask the Legal Expert about ... telemedicine
What are your thoughts on the rising attention given to telemedicine? Are we more at risk, using clinicians miles away and viewing resident conditions and ...
Legal Matters
CMS unveils new webpage on Jimmo rehab settlement
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in August unveiled the educational webpage mandated as part of the federal government's January 2013 Jimmo settlement.
OIG wants $30M refund from rehab in NJ
Fox Rehabilitation received at least $29.9 million in Medicare Part B payments for services that did not meet Medicare requirements, according to an August report ...
Design
Design Decisions: Fueling a rehab revolution
Albemarle Health & Rehabilitation Center gives patients access to high-tech equipment and top-shelf amenities
How to do it…
How to do it ... Fitting rehab equipment
Right-sizing rehab equipment purchases can be a daunting task. With a plethora of buying options possible today, experts offer advice on how to avoid purchases ...
A day in the life
A Day in the Life: Soothing Singers
Members of the Threshold Choir at Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices are quick to point out that the singing they do isn't performing.
Technology
Robotic baby seal Paro still scoring well with residents
A controversial robot named Paro may help reduce agitation in nursing home residents with dementia, a new study suggests.
Opinion
Reader Poll: what makes a meeting successful for you?
"We try to educate staff. Every morning I come up with a topic for the day, something current. And after we discuss that, we go ...
Get ready — for me
Well, it looks like I'll be seeing some of you sooner than expected. A new study, reported by McKnight's, suggests that the average American has ...
Company news
AG revives 'false advertising' fight against Golden Living
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has attempted to revive a lawsuit that claims nursing home giant Golden LivingCenters was guilty of "false advertising" for its ...
Kindred sells 54 facilities
Kindred Healthcare took a big first step toward selling off its remaining skilled nursing facilities in late August.
Vendor news
Emmi multimedia call system increases nurse efficiency
A system based on multimedia and interactive voice response phone calls has expanded into the post-acute market, with executives describing it as a way to ...
Lancaster Pollard acquired by ORIX USA
ORIX USA has bought Lancaster Pollard, the companies announced in September.
The big picture
Tell your story walking
Chances are pretty good that you or a loved one may have spent some time in a hospital. They can be places where miracles happen.
Editor’s desk
Could documentation relief be coming soon?
Long-term care professionals know a lot. At the top of the list has to be that you are saddled with too many tasks, many of ...
