What is the so-called “Red Hand Campaign” that was launched by CMS last fall? Join HealthCap CEO Peter Feeney as he talks with HealthCap Risk Managers Cheryl Wilcox, RN, CLNC, RAC-CT, and Dorene Spies, LNHA about the campaign, what it is, how it can affect facilities, and what to do if you receive a “red hand” icon on nursinghomecompare.com.
Engaged families and residents are happier families and residents, and now we may have more insight as to “why” that is! A study recently released by Patient Safety Network (psnet.ahrq.gov) identifies that when families and patients are engaged and involved with the overall care of their loved one, safety improves! Barriers to effective engagement include limited patient/family knowledge, poor communication …
NCAPPS is an initiative from the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to help states, Tribes and Territories to implement person-centered practices. NCAPPS resources are open to the public and are geared toward human services administrators, providers and people who use long-term services and supports. These are also a great resource for families as …
The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database file, which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in October 2019. https://www.oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/exclusions_list.asp
A study funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will help determine if statin use can prevent dementia and disability in those patients 75 years or older. It has long been said that the side effects of statins often outweigh the benefits (muscle pain, weakness, etc.). Maybe now we can contribute something positive to this important medication and weigh …
On Wednesday, September 25, 2019 a bipartisan pair of lawmkaers introduced a bill that its supporters say would ease persistent staffing strains on the nation’s nursing home operators. Historically, if a provider received a civil money penalty of more than $10,000 (related to a negative survey outcome), the center would be banned from training certified nursing assistants for two years. …
A new study suggests that typical fall prevention advice for seniors is mostly ineffective. Almost three times as many adults aged 75 years and older died from falls in 2016 than in 2000 (25,189 people in 2016 compared to 8613 in 2000) (Journal of the American Medical Association). Experts suggest a more personalized approach to fall prevention as well as …
A lot has been said about “burn-out” over the years and many studies have been inconclusive regarding how burn-out may impact resident care and safety. In a recent study[1] several interesting outcomes were observed. The study describes burnout in part as a disorder that is directly related to workplace conditions due to the occupational stress health and education workers are …
Last July the Office of Inspector General released it’s annual report Solutions to Reduce Fraud, Waste and Abuse in HHS Programs: OIG’s Top Recommendations. In it, the top 25 unimplemented recommendations are identified along with the 25 recommendations from 2018 that were put in place. CMS has not implemented the recommendations from the OIG yet, but they have published a …
