All the Buzz

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Person-centered care plan, is it real or is it yet another buzz word? Person centered care planning (PCP) is a process directed by the person who receives the support, along with their chosen group of people, to create a vision for their future and organize the services and supports they need to achieve their goals. PCP focuses on the person’s …

The Hand

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Yes, the RED hand, the hand no one wants to see on their Medicare Care Compare site, right? In June 2023, Long Term Care Community Coalition published the results of a study “They Make You Pay”, How Fear of Retaliation Silences Residents in America’s Nursing Home. As “caregivers”, yes, that is you, it doesn’t matter if you are providing direct …

More Recruitment and Retention

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Yes, we are on a roll with this topic because it is on everyone’s minds and the subject comes up in pretty much every conversation I have with providers. As a huge fan of “retention”, I have read pretty much everything published on the subject and one thing continues to ring loud and clear. How we connect with our staff …

Recruitment and Retention and?

Angie SzumlinskiNews

I for one am a firm believer in retaining quality staff, however, recruitment is the word of the times. I challenge you to identify one provider in post-acute care who feels they are “over-staffed”. Indeed, most providers are struggling to maintain bare minimum staffing numbers and with the threat of mandated staffing requirements on the horizon, it can make you …

The Treatment

Angie SzumlinskiNews

As we continue our journey through the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath, we need to be aware that there continues to be an uptick in cases in some parts of the country. Hospitalizations were up again this month, and we are seeing more people donning masks again as a precaution. Does it concern me? Maybe a little but then I think about …

Quality Award – Are You Ready?

Angie SzumlinskiNews

It made my heart happy to see the Quality Award recipients honored at the AHCA/NCAL annual convention. What an honor but do you know what is involved in the award application process? It takes a very focused, committed, interdisciplinary team to focus on their goals and rally their team! What does the quality award program mean to you? “The AHCA/NCAL …

Respiratory Viruses and You

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Ugh, the flu season, it is back and predicted to be a more difficult year due to last year being relatively mild. If you have never had the flu, trust me, you don’t want to experience it. The body aches, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, oh and don’t forget the possible GI symptoms some people experience! Sounds great, …

Significant Change in Condition

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Failure to identify and treat a resident change in condition continues to be a hot spot button for litigation? It has been in the “top 3” for many years and as we promote the “aging in place” philosophy, residents may be at higher risk for experiencing changes in condition. The federal regulations are clear: A “significant change in condition” is …

Fat – Yikes!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

We all know that “fat” is not good for us, even “good fats” in excess can cause health issues, but did you know that it may also reduce brain volume? Yikes! In a study of healthy, middle-aged adults, greater visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat predicted brain atrophy especially in women. Hmmm, that just doesn’t seem fair especially for post-menopausal women, …

Antibiotics and Viruses

Angie SzumlinskiNews

They don’t play well together; however, physicians prescribe more unnecessary antibiotics during colder months than warmer months. One study found that between October and March (winter) more inappropriate prescriptions for antibiotics were written, 72.4% compared to 62% during April through September (summer). Why you ask? Well, there is likely more than one reason however, researchers found that decision fatigue could …