It’s important to do a review that considers your region and state. Identify how complaints and care deficiencies were handled last year.
Asking for the medical record
By
Steven Littlehale
Jan 29, 2014
Millions of dollars have been paid by nursing homes who unsuccessfully defended themselves against incomplete or absent documentation. There are not as many legal guidelines regarding medical records maintenance...
Be careful what you wish for
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 18, 2013
Last January, the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont approved a settlement agreement in the case of Jimmo vs Sebelius that alleged Medicare contractors were inappropriately applying an “improvement...
Ready for a little late summer seasoning? (PEPPER to be exact!)
By
Steven Littlehale
Aug 30, 2013
The SNF PEPPER or “Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report” summarizes Medicare claims data to identify risk for abuse or improper payment. PEPPER compares a SNF’s claims...
MDS data quality: Things are not always as they seem
By
Steven Littlehale
Jul 15, 2013
Open up the hood and look at the engine. Does the data scrubbing module focus only on standard CMS coding and consistency checks and the “RUG” items, or is it more robust and emphasize clinical...
Aiming for the stars? Reflections on staffing to acuity
By
Steven Littlehale
Jun 17, 2013
Experts have proposed standards for minimum and ideal facility staffing, and some states have adopted minimums as legal requirements. However, there is no industry-wide agreement on any of the three targets...
The importance of data accuracy
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 10, 2013
Has a day gone by when you haven’t heard about a new healthcare reform requirement coming of age? This month skilled nursing facilities were supposed to have started having an operational compliance...
Sorting out the antipsychotic quality measures
By
Steven Littlehale
Mar 05, 2013
While antipsychotic measurements can vary, providers must carefully and thoroughly examine all antipsychotic medication use in their facility.
How consistent CNA assignments will help residents
By
Steven Littlehale
Feb 07, 2013
Consistent assignments for CNAs are discussed and implemented more frequently than they used to be. For the most part, research studies speak to the positive attributes of this model of care. From improved...
Survey and certification: Level that playing field!
By
Steven Littlehale
Dec 11, 2012
As you engage in quality improvement efforts, put together data-driven marketing materials, complete a HUD refinance application, or talk with families and other community members take care to make sure...