Sepsis is a leading cause of hospital readmissions for nursing home residents, yet the early identification of sepsis in nursing homes remains a challenge. With limited research available, how might we begin to tackle this problem? Please join Christine LaRocca, MD and the National Nursing Home Quality Improvement Campaign to learn more about sepsis, who is at risk and the …
CMS Changes to Nursing Home Compare and Five-Star Ratings Explained
A recent blog post from bakerdonelson.com provides a brief overview of the 2019 changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. Following is a summary of that blog. To read the entire blog, please click HERE. Health Inspection Domain: The methodology for the health inspection rating returned to what it was prior to February 2018. Specifically, results …
Long-Term Drug Therapy and Drug Holidays for Osteoporosis Fracture Prevention
A recent study to summarize the effects of long-term osteoporosis drug treatment and of osteoporosis drug treatment discontinuation and holidays found that long-term alendronate, zoledronate, and oral hormone therapy reduced nonvertebral fractures in older women, with oral hormone therapy also reducing hip fractures. While absolute reductions in typical fractures with long-term bisphosphonates are large relative to increases in AFF, reduced …
CAHPS Nursing Home Surveys Available for Download
The CAHPS Nursing Home Surveys include three standardized instruments designed to gather information on the experiences of adult nursing home residents and their family members. Each instrument is designed to meet a different need: Long-Stay Resident Survey. An in-person structured interview for long-term residents. Discharged Resident Survey. A questionnaire for recently discharged short-stay residents. Family Member Survey. A questionnaire that asks family members …
What Nursing Home Administrators Expect from their Medical Directors
As the US health care system moves toward value-based reimbursement, NH administrators need to hold medical directors accountable to metrics. According to an article in Annals of Long Term Care, facilities will be sitting down with their medical director outlining specific requirements and then later with a score card of how they performed. Success for NHs will require a knowledgeable …
Nursing Facility Influenza Study Opens Enrollment
A team of nationally recognized long-term care researchers from Brown University Stefan Gravenstein, MD, MPH, and Vincent Mor, PhD, are undertaking a large-scale quality improvement study to evaluate the impact of the annual influenza vaccine choice on long-term care facility residents’ hospitalization risk for the 2019-2020 influenza season. Nursing facilities that meet eligibility and agree to participate will be allocated …