Risk Management

Personal resident alarms: More protection or more risk?

More personal alarm-based safety devices for aren't always better—for the residents or the organization. The wrong strategy can make bed and chair alarms a liability instead of a protection. Read More »

Nursing home safety measured in nationwide survey

A new survey reveals strengths and weaknesses in nursing home safety culture as well as how factors such as size, ownership and location, as well as staff position and shift, can affect perceptions of safety—and your bottom line. Read More »

6 scooter dangers and how to address them

As motorized devices become more common in senior living environments, so do provider concerns related to safety and legal issues. Here are some tips about what you can and cannot do. Read More »

National Radon Action Week

The effects of high levels of radon gas in homes and buildings across the United States pose a serious risk of developing lung cancer. Take time to test now. Read More »

Ebola and its impact on seniors

The media storm over the Ebola threat is creating fear and suspicion throughout the country. Being aware of the threat is smart, but being obsessed with the remote possibility of infection can be distracting. Read More »

LTSS quality important to evaluate: report

A new report highlights the importance of evaluating the quality of long-term services and supports in independent and assisted living, skilled nursing, home health and hospice environments. Read More »

Mobile technology addresses emergency preparedness

New cloud-based mobile technology is designed to help facility, operational and emergency management professionals at long-term care providers formulate emergency management plans. Read More »

Partnering for post-acute care

The second part of our two-part series on post-acute strategies and tactics examines how post-acute care providers can partner to succeed in an integrated network. Read More »

Group releases nursing home report card

Where do nursing homes provide the most hours of care and the highest levels of staffing? Find out what Families for Better Care says in its latest rankings. Read More »

Justice Department unveils elder abuse website

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a website to help fight the abuse and financial exploitation of older adults. Read More »

LTC providers can collect controlled substances under new federal policy

Long-term care facilities will be able to collect controlled substances turned in by residents, under a new Drug Enforcement Administration regulation meant to combat prescription drug abuse and misuse. Read More »

Fall risks vary with medications, studies find

Prescribing medication is an art form requiring the physician to weigh the delicate balance between a medication’s benefits and potential risks. Read More »

The case of the missing jewelry

Facility life can lead to accidental loss or damage to a resident’s personal belongings as Long-Term Living’s resident blogger Kathleen Mears recently discovered. Read More »

Joint Commission issues an alert on tubing misconnection risks

In hospitals and long-term care settings, caregivers often have to change tubing on medical equipment. A high risk of misconnection exists because of various compatible delivery systems, so the Joint Commission has issued a Sentinel Event Alert. Read More »

12 steps to QAPI: Step 11: Getting to the ‘root’ of the problem

When a problem is identified, QAPI Step 11 shows how to perform a root cause analysis so an effective remedy can be implemented to prevent future events and keep residents safe from harm. Read More »

Licensure for some Texas nursing homes under the microscope

In Texas, some nursing homes with serious violations have avoided penalties without correcting violations, according to a recent report by the Texas Sunset Commision. Read More »

Arbitration guide available

A new guide offers a state-by-state look at rules related to arbitration agreements in long-term care communities. Read More »

Can a caregiver sue for on-the-job injury?

The California Supreme Court decides that a rule covering institutional long-term care settings also applies to home health settings. Read More »

Social media present challenges for healthcare employers, employees

A clear social media policy can help employers and employees meet their legal obligations to one another as well as to residents. See where others have fallen short, and get tips for success in your organization. Read More »

Practice to protect

Staff readiness to react to a natural disaster or dangerous situations is imperative in long-term care environments. Read More »

Decision aids can encourage advanced planning

In long-term care, advance directives, medical power of attorney, living will and so on are acquired during the admissions process. Their importance becomes more relevant as resident experiences changes in health status. Read More »

Take employee safety concerns seriously

You cannot retaliate against an employee just because he or she exercised the right to demand a safe work environment and perhaps filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. But here's what you can do. Read More »

Protect residents from financial abuse

New federal guidance outlines the responsibilities and actions a facility needs to take when it suspects a resident is a victim of a financial crime. Read More »

Joint Commission offers free infection educational module

Bring staff on board to apply reliability principles in their efforts to prevent and control the incidents of infection in the congregate setting of long-term care. Read More »

Best practices for LTC facility emergency evacuation

Four best practices can help your staff and residents when a natural or man-made disaster strikes. Consider these elements when developing or revising your emergency evacuation plan. Read More »

Murder case highlights nursing home responsibilities, residents’ rights

A five-year-old case in which a nursing home resident with dementia remains accused of strangling her roommate to death is continuing to raise issues of resident rights, family requests and legal responsibilities for long-term care providers. Read More »

OSHA resource looks to reduce, prevent LTC workplace injuries

Muscle strains, sprains, low back injuries and tendinitis are some of the workplace hazards LTC workers face each day. A new resource offers recommendations to prevent these painful and costly incidents. Read More »

Look out! Arbitration provision may not provide enough coverage

Facility agreements with individuals or their representative can sometimes come under attack as to their validity, putting a facility at risk. Can your arbitration provision take the heat? Read More »

The shock of elder abuse in assisted living

Recent research reveals that executive directors of assisted living communities may not be aware of all of the cases of elder abuse—especially sexual incidents—occurring in their communities. A gerontology expert shares four ways to recognize and combat abuse in long-term care settings. Read More »

Cleaning up infection control

Drug-resistant infection rates are rising in long-term care. Healthcare-associated infections result in at least 100,000 resident deaths per year. When was the last time you examined your facility’s cleaning and disinfection protocols? Read More »