Susan LaGrange

5 tips for avoiding deficiencies
November 05, 2014Here are five quick tips to operationalize for the top five most frequently cited deficiencies nationwide. Facilities could choose one per day and revisit each week to focus on audits, discussion, education and system updates.

A plan for drug diversion
October 13, 2014One timely topic that is both difficult to comprehend and discuss is drug diversion in long-term care. Long-term care leaders must have a solid system in place with policies and procedures, education, oversight and monitoring on an ongoing basis, as shift-to-shift counting alone will not suffice in identification of diversion.

Preparing CNAs for success
January 13, 2014Adequate preparation, communication of expectations and ongoing monitoring is certainly essential for our certified nursing assistants. Holding them accountable for their assignments, proper technique and interpersonal skills should be a given, yet many times nurses and managers will complain that over the years we have gone from the "nurse is in charge" to the "tail wagging the dog."

Preparing charge nurses for success!
November 15, 2013Today more than ever, we hear about the importance of PROACTIVE approaches to prevent as many unfavorable events as possible. One of the key essential proactive approaches that we can implement is to PREPARE our charge nurses for success! There are times, when new nurses start their position that the orientation or teaching period is cut short because they are "doing just fine" and they are "needed" to take a shift by themselves.

Becoming wide awake about the dangers of sleeping pills
January 15, 2013There are some people who are able to fall asleep as their head is hitting the pillow. Then there are the rest of us. And if you don't think you know any of us, you're probably wrong.
Restorative nursing boosts resident care and billing levels, expert explains
July 25, 2012Activities of daily living and restorative nursing present good chances to optimize reimbursement, a nursing expert said Tuesday at the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration/Long-Term Care conference in Nashville.