60 seconds with … Ed McMahon, Ph.D.
Q: You recently received the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award from the American Health Care Association. What are some of the biggest current obstacles to improving quality in long-term care?
Nursing Home
DOJ forces observation stay showdown
Hospitals have been cast in a harsh light by long-term care advocates recently for allegedly over-using “observation stay” status. The practice can ultimately deny some patients subsequent Medicare coverage for nursing home admission.
Vast majority of nursing home residents chronically constipated, and it’s not well controlled, researchers say
Chronic constipation is highly prevalent in nursing homes and not well controlled, leading to a high likelihood that residents develop fecal impaction, according to findings from a first-of-its kind study.
Empowering nurse practitioners could reduce hospitalizations from SNFs, study finds
Granting more authority to nurse practitioners is associated with reduced hospitalization of skilled nursing facility residents, according to recently published findings.
Congressman requests briefing on nursing home five-star rating system
A leader in Congress has called for an evaluation of the nursing home five-star rating system in light of a recent New York Times article. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) requested that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials brief his staff by Sept. 16. One area of concern is the heavy reliance on nursing homes’ self-reported data about staffing levels and quality of care, which may not be regularly audited for accuracy, Cummings stated in his Aug. 26 letter to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.
Focusing on a single word might improve nursing home residents’ quality of life
An affordable, easily implemented relaxation technique could improve nursing home residents’ psychological well-being. It also could potentially boost their immune systems, according to recently published findings.
Also in the news for August 28, 2014 . . .
Marijuana compound slows Alzheimer’s … CBO: Medicare spending for 2014 will be $9 billion less than projected … Former nursing home bookkeeper pleads guilty to embezzling $188,000 … Lack of naturally occurring protein linked to dementia
CMS needs to get nursing home staffing information directly from payroll systems, Congressional leaders say
Federal regulators should start collecting nursing home staffing information directly from payroll systems as soon as possible, members of the Congressional Seniors Task Force said in a letter to a top healthcare official Tuesday.
NY nursing home agrees to $2.2 million settlement in case of false documentation
Nursing home operator Ralex Services Inc. has agreed to a $2.2 million settlement in a whistleblower case involving forged documents at a facility in New Rochelle, New York.
Mandatory staff hours, better high-acuity care could improve quality of life in nursing homes, researchers suggest
A nursing home’s staffing patterns and admissions trends are among the most important factors driving residents’ quality of life over time, according to recently published research findings.
