Administration

CMS: National health spending projections juggle expanded coverage, high-cost drugs

Overall national healthcare spending is expected to rise by modest amounts during the decade from 2014-2024, notes a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services budget report released today. Read More »

NOTICE Act receives full Senate approval

Legislation to inform Medicare beneficiaries of their outpatient status has passed through the legislative branch without a hitch. Now, it’s off to the White House. Read More »

Upgraded SNF restorative program reduces falls

Dramatic results from a recent study indicate that integrating Progressive Resistance Exercise (PRE) into the active range of motion portion of a restorative program improves strength and balance. Read More »

Women impersonate nursing home staff, allegedly steal $11k of jewelry

Police in North Carolina are looking for two women who suited up in hospital scrubs and allegedly stole jewelry from residents at two nursing homes. Read More »

Anthem to buy Cigna in $54B deal

Anthem’s purchase of Cigna constitutes the largest health insurance deal in history, but regulators will be watching closely for impacts on market competition. Read More »

Partnerships@Work: 5 strategies for introducing staff to an EHR

Getting staff on board with a new electronic health record (EHR) can be daunting. A Connecticut provider shares how concerted training efforts with its EHR system vendor helped ensure a smooth transition for staff and residents. Read More »

CMS pilots program for joint hospice/curative care

A new pilot program model from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will test whether hospice care and curative care should be offered simultaneously, instead of asking terminally-ill patients to choose one or the other. Read More »

CMS proposes mandatory antibiotic stewardship programs in LTC

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed rule would require long-term care facilities to establish an antibiotic stewardship program in order to participate in Medicare. Read More »

150 seniors evacuated from W. Hollywood floods

The 134-unit senior apartment building was flooded by heavy rain on Sunday. Read More »

When laughter is the best medicine

A hospital in Washington has learned what long-term care facilities have known for years: There is no better medicine than laughter. Read More »

Side-tracked by side rails

Side rails may sound like a great safety tool, but unless the use of side rails is properly assessed and documented, their usage can pose great risks to residents and the facility. Read More »

CMS proposes massive new rules for LTC industry

The 400-page proposal includes new rules to reduce hospitalizations, infections and resident risks. But, opponents question the financial impacts: Feds estimate the cost would be nearly $90,000 per facility over two years.  Read More »

ONC creates roadmap for Health IT Safety Center

An Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology task force has created a roadmap to improve identification and sharing of information on health IT-related safety events. Read More »

Study: Seniors in subsidized housing have poorer vision

Compared to the rate of visual impairment in the general older adult population, seniors living in subsidized housing have considerably worse vision. Read More »

On the road to burnout

It happens in most professions, but the tensions that lead burnout in long-term care are magnified by the pressures—and responsibilities—of caring for people. Read More »

OSHA inspections target tuberculosis in healthcare settings

A new directive is aimed to further reduce the risk of tuberculosis (TB) to employees working in healthcare settings, including new rules for screening and bloodwork. Read More »

Alice Bonner, MD, earns Champion of Quality Award from AHCA/NCAL

Alice Bonner, MD, earned the award for her contributions to quality in the long-term and post-acute care community, especially in dementia care. Read More »

Former CMS administrator Marilyn Tavenner to become AHIP president

Tavenner left her CMS post in January, and Andy Slavitt has been nominated by President Barack Obama to fill the position. Read More »

Florida senior living provider partners with NFL to build 33 new communities

Validus Senior Living and the NFL Alumni Association have partnered to build assisted living and memory care facilities in major cities with a high concentration of retired NFL players. Read More »

Proposed CMS rule would require health information exchange for LTC

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wants all nursing homes and long-term care facilities to participate in health information exchange. Read More »

Government audits find extensive Medicare Advantage overcharges

Some Medicare Advantage patients were overpaying by thousands of dollars a year, according to government audits. Read More »

Merger creates largest nonprofit LTC provider in California

ABHOW and be.group merge to create California's largest nonprofit senior living provider. Read More »

ProPublica report: Blood thinner Coumadin is causing deaths, injuries in nursing homes

The president of Geriatric Practice Management calls Coumadin "the most dangerous drug in America." Read More »

A fire system check can be unnerving

Fire alarms are one of the most important protections to residents and staff to ensure their safety. But the alarm system must be checked regularly tor a faulty fire alarm system could be fatal. Read More »

Eldermark introduces mobile-based nurse call system

The system works online or offline with Apple, Microsoft and Android devices.  Read More »

NIC MAP: Seniors housing occupancy drops again

According to data analysis by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), independent and assisted living properties are feeling the pinch. Read More »

OIG says SNF billing for changes in therapy needs improvement

The OIG recommends the CMS accelerate its efforts to begin a new method for paying for therapy.  Read More »

CMS proposes physician reimbursement for end-of-life discussions

In a milestone addition to its physician payment schedule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposes to add a new billing code to allow for the reimbursement of advanced care planning services. Read More »

AANAC buys AALTCN

Two key long-term care nursing associations are now one. Read More »

Study: Wearing protective gowns, gloves may not protect residents from contracting MRSA

Two studies discuss the effectiveness of wearing protective gear when performing daily care activities in guarding against incidences of MRSA. Read More »