Hand signing a contract

Reviewing Staffing Agency Contracts from an Insurance Perspective

Christina NechiporchikNews

Staffing shortages continue to dominate the industry rendering it difficult for post-acute care providers to maintain consistent levels of staff and quality care. To ease the staffing burden, providers are requesting assistance from staffing agencies. While this is an efficient solution, providers should try and avoid some common pitfalls when it comes to signing staffing agreements. Reviewing the indemnification and …

Negotiating Agency Contracts

Christina NechiporchikNews

Staffing shortages continue to dominate the industry rendering it difficult for long-term care providers to maintain consistent levels of staff and quality care. Most providers are watching their staff quit the industry entirely or switch over to temporary staffing agencies to make more money. To ease the staffing burden, providers are requesting assistance from staffing agencies. While this is an …

What Time is It?

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Did you know that when we switch from “Standard Time” (ST) to “Daylight Savings Time” (DST) that there is an increase in traffic accidents, cardiovascular events, and other health hazards? Geez, and we thought we just lost an hour of sleep, right? Well, studies have shown that there are many negatives to losing that one hour of sleep every spring, …

Aspirin

Aspirin – The Good, Bad and Ugly

Angie SzumlinskiNews

We all know the miracle drug, as children growing up, we had yummy, orange-flavored little tablets that we used for everything from headaches to skinned knees! Then, as we aged, our physicians recommended that we take one low-dose tablet of aspirin a day to assist in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. All good, right? Well, not so fast! In October …

The End of a Journey?

Angie SzumlinskiNews

COVID-19, the pandemic of 2020, SARS, Corona Virus, vaccinations, monoclonal antibodies, Dr. Fauci, Will Smith? Are we really at the end of a journey? Maybe, just maybe, or are we on a new journey? One where people openly disrespect each other? The headline on national news is no longer COVID or Dr. Fauci but rather, Will Smith, Chris Rock, and …

Hand reaching for a glass of alcohol

Whoa!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Okay, the world kept spinning through the COVID pandemic. We were locked down, many of us became ill, and some of those near and dear to us didn’t survive but we soldiered on. Sure, most people you talk to will tell you that they consumed more adult beverages than they normally would, but this is a no-judgment zone! As we …

Woman with bandage on shoulder and CMS logo behind her

Vaccines and Survey!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

CMS has rolled out mandatory vaccine requirements for employees working in post-acute care settings. The regulation clearly states that communities must provide documentation that their employee vaccination rate is 100%, excluding exemptions and delays. So, what does this mean to you? Bottom line, if your center is cited for not meeting the 100% vaccine requirement for employees, you will likely …

SEP-1 Measure

Angie SzumlinskiNews

In 2013 the National Quality Foundation (NQF) endorsed the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: Management Bundle (SEP-1) and it was implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in October 2015, requiring emergency rooms to follow the process. The measure has seven basic elements that guide clinicians in the treatment of patients brought to the emergency room with …

Television lighted in a dark bedroom

Television Sleep Timers

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Are you one of those people who “can’t fall asleep” without the television on? Do you find it more comfortable to have a “night light” on? Well, thankfully, I am NOT that person and in fact, it makes me a little cranky if the room isn’t totally dark at night. I’m actually pretty excited about an article I read regarding …

Mortality Rates – COVID-19 – Dementia

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Everyone is still reeling from the impact loss of companionship has had on our seniors, up to and including death. I read an interesting article in JAMA Neurology where the researchers evaluated the impact on COVID-19 on residents living with dementia, focused primarily on nursing home settings. The question was “is the COVID-19 pandemic associated with changes in mortality among …