http://www.mcknights.com Latest articles from McKnight's Long Term Care News McKnight's Home Long-term care magazine for owners and operators of nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities (CCRC's), extended care, institutional care, and senior/eldercare facilities Home custserv@mcknights.com no Effective July 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin rejecting claims received for Medicare Part B patients that do not include the new requirement of G-coding. That really means providers need to be ready by June 1.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/z2_lxB8cJ0Y" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/z2_lxB8cJ0Y/ Thu, 23 May 2013 14:56:00 GMT Effective July 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin rejecting claims received for Medicare Part B patients that do not include the new requirement of G-coding. That really means providers need to be ready by June 1. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/the-g-codes-are-here-for-payment-claims-ready-or-not/article/294390/ Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare-ups do better with a shorter round of prednisone, researchers have found.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/3OdB-fPmVlg" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/3OdB-fPmVlg/ Thu, 23 May 2013 10:30:00 GMT Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare-ups do better with a shorter round of prednisone, researchers have found. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/five-day-copd-treatment-quells-flare-ups-reduces-side-effects-researchers-find/article/294497/ Long-term care pharmacy Omnicare will not face charges that it engaged in "nationwide" Medicare fraud for off-label antipsychotics prescriptions, a federal judge recently ruled. However, the pharmacy still faces more limited False Claims Act charges over billing for antipsychotic drugs allegedly used for dementia care.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/3fiDhutcils" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/3fiDhutcils/ Thu, 23 May 2013 10:30:00 GMT Long-term care pharmacy Omnicare will not face charges that it engaged in "nationwide" Medicare fraud for off-label antipsychotics prescriptions, a federal judge recently ruled. However, the pharmacy still faces more limited False Claims Act charges over billing for antipsychotic drugs allegedly used for dementia care. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/judge-dismisses-claims-of-nationwide-medicare-fraud-in-omnicare-antipsychotics-case/article/294499/ Healthcare providers have already exceeded the government's 2013 adoption goals for electronic health records, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/Kx4GUKi7ROw" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/Kx4GUKi7ROw/ Thu, 23 May 2013 10:30:00 GMT Healthcare providers have already exceeded the government's 2013 adoption goals for electronic health records, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/long-term-care-providers-should-follow-hospitals-in-adopting-ehrs-government-says/article/294498/ Healthcare journalists may have fallen inadvertently into triggering a Pavlovian response in our readers: We write "hospital readmissions" and you click.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/pq_NSTSpbCM" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/pq_NSTSpbCM/ Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT Healthcare journalists may have fallen inadvertently into triggering a Pavlovian response in our readers: We write "hospital readmissions" and you click. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/engaging-er-physicians-the-way-to-go-for-long-term-care/article/294501/ How do skilled nursing facilities, clinics and hospitals think about therapy? Focusing on patient satisfaction and revenue is a good start, but it is not enough. As therapy continues to be scrutinized by the government and insurance companies, it's a good idea for administrators, directors of nursing and compliance staff to become more familiar with therapy operations.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/RSFF44pwRGM" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/RSFF44pwRGM/ Wed, 22 May 2013 16:34:35 GMT How do skilled nursing facilities, clinics and hospitals think about therapy? Focusing on patient satisfaction and revenue is a good start, but it is not enough. As therapy continues to be scrutinized by the government and insurance companies, it's a good idea for administrators, directors of nursing and compliance staff to become more familiar with therapy operations. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/therapy-is-more-than-revenue-and-service/article/294463/ As mandates from the Affordable Care Act continue to roll out, the healthcare industry, and more specifically, the long-term care (LTC) market (also known as post-acute care), is in the center of a seismic paradigm shift. In order to remain profitable and improve patient care, all LTC organizations must dramatically change how they operate, as larger hospital systems are closely reevaluating how they work with LTC providers.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/LA29vJv_jaQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/LA29vJv_jaQ/ Wed, 22 May 2013 12:30:00 GMT As mandates from the Affordable Care Act continue to roll out, the healthcare industry, and more specifically, the long-term care (LTC) market (also known as post-acute care), is in the center of a seismic paradigm shift. In order to remain profitable and improve patient care, all LTC organizations must dramatically change how they operate, as larger hospital systems are closely reevaluating how they work with LTC providers. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/it-takes-two-integrating-hospitals-and-post-acute-care/article/294134/ U.S. lawmakers heard mixed messages at a hearing Tuesday on how proposed Medicare cost-sharing reforms would impact long-term care. The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health focused in particular on three measures in the White House's proposed 2014 budget.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/wUXyQNkpsaI" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/wUXyQNkpsaI/ Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:00 GMT U.S. lawmakers heard mixed messages at a hearing Tuesday on how proposed Medicare cost-sharing reforms would impact long-term care. The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health focused in particular on three measures in the White House's proposed 2014 budget. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/experts-tell-lawmakers-obama-medicare-proposals-would-hurt-long-term-care-or-maybe-not/article/294335/ Will working in long-term care — or anywhere else, for that matter — soon become like flying Samoa Air? It's possible, maybe even likely.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/AKYAqOz-KzA" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/AKYAqOz-KzA/ Tue, 21 May 2013 22:10:35 GMT Will working in long-term care — or anywhere else, for that matter — soon become like flying Samoa Air? It's possible, maybe even likely. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/weighing-employee-health-risks-literally-and-what-it-means-for-you/article/294331/ Senior housing with supportive services is a new model being offered by senior living communities, linking people with community organizations and services to improve overall health and wellbeing. Enabling seniors to age-in-place for as long as possible has distinctive benefits for both the seniors and their families.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/khiK3JKpqmc" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/khiK3JKpqmc/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:56:28 GMT Senior housing with supportive services is a new model being offered by senior living communities, linking people with community organizations and services to improve overall health and wellbeing. Enabling seniors to age-in-place for as long as possible has distinctive benefits for both the seniors and their families. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/housing-with-supportive-services-promotes-aging-in-place/article/294034/ Operators must create a great experience for the physician, but patient flow should be a two-way street. While meeting the needs and wishes of residents must always come first, there can be multiple ways to strengthen the relationship.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/2g6MNbKjpg8" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/2g6MNbKjpg8/ Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT Operators must create a great experience for the physician, but patient flow should be a two-way street. While meeting the needs and wishes of residents must always come first, there can be multiple ways to strengthen the relationship. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/managing-the-physician-relationship-in-senior-communities/article/293694/ Diverticular disease is one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the United States. Symptomatic diverticular disease comprises a spectrum ranging from mildly symptomatic, with a profile similar to irritable bowel syndrome, to acute bouts of diverticulitis with complications such as abscess or perforation.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/aRgUokEtvHw" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/aRgUokEtvHw/ Mon, 06 May 2013 21:57:53 GMT Diverticular disease is one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the United States. Symptomatic diverticular disease comprises a spectrum ranging from mildly symptomatic, with a profile similar to irritable bowel syndrome, to acute bouts of diverticulitis with complications such as abscess or perforation. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/the-modern-management-of-diverticular-disease/article/292190/ Q: You've been using technology in novel ways at Jewish Home Lifecare. What's the key to getting seniors to use technology to help improve their care?A: If the technology is too overwhelming, the elder's not going to use it. We've got a 70% compliance rating in terms of people who say they're going to use it every day or every other day and actually do. The reason is, it's simple.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/ft7UWwWotbI" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/ft7UWwWotbI/ Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT Q: You've been using technology in novel ways at Jewish Home Lifecare. What's the key to getting seniors to use technology to help improve their care?A: If the technology is too overwhelming, the elder's not going to use it. We've got a 70% compliance rating in terms of people who say they're going to use it every day or every other day and actually do. The reason is, it's simple. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/60-seconds-with-audrey-weiner-dsw-mph-president-and-ceo-of-jewish-home-lifecare/article/291266/ We've decided that next flu season we're going to mandate our staff members get flu shots. Are we on firm legal ground?<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/DyhjH2ihAp8" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/DyhjH2ihAp8/ Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT We've decided that next flu season we're going to mandate our staff members get flu shots. Are we on firm legal ground? McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/ask-the-legal-expert-about-mandating-flu-shots/article/291363/ We've had problems with residents being caught in the hospital "observation stay loophole." What can we do to ensure they qualify for coverage at our facility?<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/5E2M8jnpqGI" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/5E2M8jnpqGI/ Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT We've had problems with residents being caught in the hospital "observation stay loophole." What can we do to ensure they qualify for coverage at our facility? McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/ask-the-payment-expert-about-the-observation-stay-loophole/article/291288/ Activities Director Pat Roza didn't go to a big box store to replace the tattered American flag at the 62-bed Elant at Wappingers Falls nursing home in Wappingers Falls, NY. Instead, she called her congressman, U.S. Rep Sean Patrick Maloney (D).<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/ZSNz54_FDQw" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/ZSNz54_FDQw/ Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT Activities Director Pat Roza didn't go to a big box store to replace the tattered American flag at the 62-bed Elant at Wappingers Falls nursing home in Wappingers Falls, NY. Instead, she called her congressman, U.S. Rep Sean Patrick Maloney (D). McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/flag-day-comes-early/article/291555/ Nursing leaders should curb 'lateral hostility' by addressing incidents as soon as they occur, advises a recent article in American Journal of Nursing. In a series coordinated by the American Organization of Nurse Executives, nurses are given guidance on leadership. In "Crucial Conversations in the Workplace," Katherine Major, MSN, RN, writes about a framework for conflict resolution.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/XUwRlsh1Xzs" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/XUwRlsh1Xzs/ Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT Nursing leaders should curb 'lateral hostility' by addressing incidents as soon as they occur, advises a recent article in American Journal of Nursing. In a series coordinated by the American Organization of Nurse Executives, nurses are given guidance on leadership. In "Crucial Conversations in the Workplace," Katherine Major, MSN, RN, writes about a framework for conflict resolution. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/guidance-on-conversations-could-help-nurses-residents/article/291281/ The estate of a woman who died in an Emeritus Corp. senior living community may pursue wrongful death and medical malpractice claims without providing expert testimony, U.S. District Court Judge Dan Aaron Polster has ruled.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/7ffkRDXQRhk" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/7ffkRDXQRhk/ Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT The estate of a woman who died in an Emeritus Corp. senior living community may pursue wrongful death and medical malpractice claims without providing expert testimony, U.S. District Court Judge Dan Aaron Polster has ruled. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/judge-expert-testimony-not-needed-in-spa-tub-death-suit/article/291365/ Applications are now being accepted for the second annual McKnight's Excellence in Technology Awards program.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/McKnights/~4/mR9A-nJMt6Y" height="1" width="1"/> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/McKnights/~3/mR9A-nJMt6Y/ Wed, 01 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT Applications are now being accepted for the second annual McKnight's Excellence in Technology Awards program. McKnight's http://www.mcknights.com/tech-stars-to-be-recognized/article/291253/