I am constantly reminded how the complexities of nature astound me. Recently, I became aware of the impending cicada invasion that will happen this year in various regions of the United States. According...
More than 50% of dementia patients in nursing homes are given potentially pointless and dangerous drugs...
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 10, 2014
Nursing homes administer largely pointless and potentially harmful drugs to a majority of residents with advanced dementia, according to findings in Jama Internal Medicine.
Success without silos
By
Julie Williamson
Sep 01, 2014
Minimum data set coordinators should get as much support as possible from colleagues as they navigate data set changes and ever-evolving requirements
CMS: Discharge assessments must be completed when residents transfer to a non-certified bed within the...
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2014
Skilled nursing facilities must complete a discharge assessment when a resident is transferred from a certified to a non-certified bed, even if both beds are in the same building, the Centers for Medicare...
Most residents are incontinent
By
Stephanie H. Kim
Aug 01, 2014
More than 75% of long-term residents are incontinent, as well as nearly half (46%) of short-term residents, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
Referrals funnel duals into lower quality nursing homes
By
Amy Novotney
Jul 01, 2014
Government health programs could save money and health outcomes could improve if more dual-eligible beneficiaries were to go from hospitals to well-staffed long-term and post-acute facilities, according...
House and Senate take on bills that would standardize post-acute care data collection
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 30, 2014
Both houses of Congress now officially are considering bills to standardize assessments across various post-acute care provider types. The House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees introduced...
Special surveys on dementia care, Minimum Data Set coding will launch by mid-year, CMS announces
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 22, 2014
Surveyors will scrutinize dementia care and Minimum Data Set coding in an upcoming pilot program to test more expansive oversight of these areas, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced.
Aggression strongly signals pain only when dementia reaches advanced stages, researchers find
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 21, 2014
For a person with dementia, the link between aggressive behavior and physical pain is strong only in the condition’s advanced stages, University of Florida researchers have found.
MDS insight found lacking
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 01, 2014
Long-term care staffers’ understanding of the Minimum Data Set and its Quality Indicators is “mediocre at best,” according to recent survey results. Lack of exposure and involvement are...