In a recent study, Medicare beneficiaries who receive hospice care had lower rates of hospitalization, ICU admissions and invasive procedures at the end of life, along with lower healthcare expenditures during the last year of life. Read More »
The first national joint replacement database issues its first report and intends to add more data sets to improve the quality of joint replacement devices and procedures. Read More »
Nine quality measures will be part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dialysis Facility Compare star rating program for dialysis providers participating in Medicare when it rolls out in January. Read More »
Residents can empathize with fellow residents' challenges even as they strive to cope with and overcome their own physical, emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Read More »
Take time this month to honor the hospice and home care workers who provide valuable service and commitment to the people they serve with skill and compassion. Read More »
A national private-duty home care franchisor is one of only two to receive the Enterprise Champion for Quality award since it was established in 2013. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is giving the reimbursement nod to a first-of-its-kind genetic test to help physicians choose the best medication to treat depression in older adults. Will this policy help solve the tricky task of treating depression in care settings plagued by polypharmacy and look-alike symptoms? Read More »
CMS recently updated the change of therapy requirements found in the RAI User’s Manual. Understanding the changes can ensure correct reimbursement and avoid miscalculations. Read More »
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 »
Preserving continence is important to a resident’s dignity and self-esteem. Unfortunately, some residents have to rely on others to assist them and the timing might not always be convenient. Read More »
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 »
Ebola is in the news, but those working in long-term care face a bigger threat to their health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a wealth of information on both. Read More »
For many people, autumn is their favorite time of year. The air is crisp, the foliage is brilliant and warm days still pop up occasionally, drawing residents outdoors. It is also the season when pollens, molds and other allergens contaminate the air and trigger allergic reactions. Read More »
Various conditions, including age, can affect how the body reacts to a psychotropic drug, such as Valium, as Kathleen Mears found out after decades of use. Read More »
Fighting resistant organisms takes strong tactics because of years of antibiotic abuse. Prevention protocols, adequate staffing and awareness are key to avoiding the creation of bigger, badder bugs. Read More »
Gastrostomy tubes and other enteral devices are not advised for use in end-of-life or advance dementia situations because risks might outweigh the benefits, according to new report. Read More »
Facility transfers can be traumatic for a resident, especially if he or she is not included in the process. It can be upsetting to have to acclimate to an entirely new environment full of strangers and leave familiarity behind. Read More »
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued two contracts in an effort to enable healthcare professionals to diagnose influenza sooner and more accurately. Read More »
Facilities need to take action to make headway against Clostridium difficile infection, according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. New research provides additional insights into the intestinal superbug. Read More »
The increasing use of electrical equipment in areas where patients/residents receive treatment has increased the need for more electrical outlets to accommodate the appliances/devices. Read More »
The following account illustrates the importance of screening before hiring. Bad employees can ruin a facility’s reputation and a resident’s quality of life. Read More »
Coaching residents who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on three coping techniques can boost their quality of life and can even improve physical symptoms, new research has found. And technology can make the approach relatively low-cost. Read More »
Unlike their grandparents, many of today's seniors keep their teeth well into their advanced years. Caring for their dental issues requires dentists to have an understanding of how to deliver optimum oral care to this demographic. Read More »
To complete the readmission puzzle, post-acute care providers should look at three not-so-obvious missing puzzle pieces that go beyond the readmission metric. Read More »
Certain adults are more vulnerable than others, and vaccination rates vary by gender and geography. See what you can do, and find out what this year's vaccine covers. Read More »
