AMDA

A New York nursing home that reduced falls by 53% in a year credits program planning, new safeguards and revised resident assessments.

The American Medical Directors Association has named Harvey Tillipman as its interim executive director.

Long-term care provider groups said at a congressional briefing Thursday that they want a Medicare policy on observation stays in hospitals to be changed.

The Regional Geriatrics Medical Conference of the Year is being held through Sunday at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Jointly sponsored by the American Medical Directors Association and local chapters of AMDA, ACHCA, NADONA and the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, the conference features nearly two dozen educational sessions. Major geriatric diseases, illnesses and risks found in nursing home and assisted living residents will be targeted.

As many as one in seven elderly nursing home residents, most of whom have dementia, are being prescribed expensive, powerful antipsychotic medications that increase the risk of death, according to a report from the federal Office of the Inspector General. Providers counter that the research reflects outdated practices.

The American Medical Director Association's annual conference, "Long Term Care Medicine—2011," continues through Sunday in Tampa with concurrent educational sessions highlighting some of the hottest topics in caregiving today. A highlight of Saturday's agenda will be a presentation by Professor David R. Thomas, MD, CMD, an expert in pressure ulcers and wound care.

A majority of AMDA - Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine members are pulling double duty, according to a survey by that group. A total of 79% said they work as part-time medical directors and 88% said they also serve as attending physicians.

Nursing homes that employ medical directors certified by the American Medical Directors Association show significant improvement in quality of care over facilities that don't, according to a new analysis.