Training clears facility, not aides, in heat-related death
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 06, 2017
Two former caretakers at an Illinois long-term care facility have been charged with Class 3 felony counts of criminal neglect in the death of a 69-year-old resident with developmental disabilities, who...
Staff talk not a help for this
By
Nov 06, 2017
A program meant to improve communication among nursing home staff didn’t help reduce falls in facilities, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed.
Sleep meds linked to falls
By
Elizabeth Newman
Nov 06, 2017
Older people who take sleep medications for insomnia may be increasing their risk of falls, according to new research from Penn State investigators.
Goal: 15% drop in psych drugs
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 06, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is hoping that providers can add to their success when it comes to further lowering the use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes.
Ready, set, go? LTC bracing for Phase 2
By
Elizabeth Newman
Nov 06, 2017
Despite a push from the post-acute care industry to delay implementation of Phase 2 requirements of participation guidelines under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, providers at press time...
Hospitals slam MedPAC’s plan
By
Nov 06, 2017
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s proposed unified post-acute payment system is “unworkable as a foundation,” the American Hospital Association said in September.
Not the usual small talk
By
John O'Connor
Nov 06, 2017
Sabra Health Care REIT chairman and CEO Rick Matros recently tweaked more than a few noses when he made some rather disparaging remarks about the benefits of investing in large skilled-care companies....
Nurses need YouTube image help: study
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 06, 2017
The nursing profession could use an image boost, according to an analysis of videos in searches for “nurses” and “nursing” on the video-sharing website YouTube.
Disinfectant exposure may increase nurses’ COPD risk
By
Amy Novotney
Nov 06, 2017
Nurses who regularly use bleach and other disinfectants on the job appear to have a higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to research presented in September...
Ask the Nursing Expert about … staff competencies
By
Judi Kulus, MSN, MAT, RN, NHA, RAC-MT, DNS-CT
Nov 06, 2017
Is it true that during new survey process, surveyors will ask staff nurses and nursing assistants about their competencies, with questions such as, “Do you receive periodic evaluations on your skills,...