McKnight's Long-Term Care News articles from April 2002

McKnight's Long-Term Care News archives from April 2002

Trained assistants. (Late Breaking News).
April 12, 2002... Trained assistants would be allowed to help residents eat and drink under a new rule proposed March 29 in the Federal Register. Nursing home associations praised the proposal as help against the nurse staffing shortage.

Medicaid payments. (Late Breaking News).
April 12, 2002... Medicaid payments to states would rise 1.5% across the board, and more for states with high unemployment, under a bill proposed by Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-WV).

The second phase of the government. (Late Breaking News).
April 12, 2002... The second phase of the government's much anticipated nursing-home staffing report was released. It mode no firm recommendations as to minimum staffing levels, angering consumer groups.

The occupational safety. (Late Breaking News).
April 12, 2002... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it will start issuing citations for workplace ergonomics injuries under a special rule. Skilled nursing facilities have up to three times the rate of injuries as other employers.

Enactment of a lower Medicaid. (Late Breaking News).
April 12, 2002... Enactment of a lower Medicaid upper payment limit was delayed from March 19 to April 15. Protesting providers had requested a delay until May 14 and are suing to stop it altogether.

Bankruptcy warnings given.
April 12, 2002... The nursing home industry took the offensive recently, warning in a broad ad campaign and news outlets that planned federal funding cuts later this year could send hundreds of facilities into bankruptcy. Medicare payments would drop so...

Rewarding job? (Databank).
April 12, 2002... Databank Rewarding job? National median hourly pay rates for nursing aides, exclusive of benefits. Type of aide Certified Non-certified CCRC $9.65 $8.22 Home Care $9.61 $9.22...

Support grows for background checks. (News).
April 12, 2002... Momentum to create a registry to screen out abusive long-term care employees has continued to boom. Perhaps most importantly, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson threw his weight behind the "Patient Abuse and Prevention Act"...

Quality indicators are debated for nationwide assessment project. (News).
April 12, 2002... As nursing home operators in the six pilot states in the government's new quality initiative examined soon-to-be published data about them, their colleagues in the other 44 states were anxiously waiting for the National Quality Forum to approve...

Pilot facilities concerned after first glimpse of quality data. (News).
April 12, 2002... Skilled nursing facilities in the six states in the quality initiative pilot project got a sneak preview of the quality data to be published in newspapers and on the Medicare Web site. While providers were not surprised by what they saw,...

Experts: LTC threatened by waning administrator interest. (Cover Story).
April 12, 2002... As the long-term care sector battles a nationwide nursing shortage, many facilities are bracing for another staffing quandary -- this one involving long-term care administrators. The number of applicants sitting for the nursing home...

Providers hail quality improvement bill. (News).
April 12, 2002... Nurse-training penalties imposed after poor nursing home inspections would be trimmed and surveyors would be encouraged to discuss quality-of-care suggestions with providers under a new federal bill. Rep. David Camp (R-MI) introduced the...

Bed prices get upward adjustment: Report. (News).
April 12, 2002... The average price paid per nursing home bed rose 3.8% in 2001, according to a new study of facility sales. The average price per nursing home bed was $38,000, while the median price was $33,000 for the fourth time in five years, according...

Hard data. (News).
April 12, 2002... 2 Number of law firms high profile lawyer Johnnie Cochran says joined him recently to form a "consortium of justice," which lists the nursing home industry and tobacco companies as potential targets of litigation. 6.8 Millions of...

New, 'comprehensive' LTC system urged. (News).
April 12, 2002... The U.S. long-term care funding system needs a complete overhaul -- and quickly -- panelists said at a recent Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing. "Our nation is sorely in need of a comprehensive long-term care system," said Sen....

PPS for LTC for hospitals. (Regulatory Update).
April 12, 2002... Federal Register, March 22. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed a prospective payment system for the country's 270 long-term care hospitals. Previously, the hospitals received payment under the provisions of the Tax Equity...

Senior medicare patrol. (Regulatory Update).
April 12, 2002... Federal Register, March 19. The Administration on Aging is holding a competition for "Senior Medicare Patrol Projects" to test the best ways of using the skills of retired nurses, doctors, accountants and other professionals to train seniors to...

H.R. 3949 would require health maintenance organizations. (Legislative Update).
April 12, 2002... H.R. 3949 would require health maintenance organizations, and other managed care plans providing medical assistance to Medicaid beneficiaries, to make payments for assistance provided to such beneficiaries by health centers in federally...

H.R. 3882 would reform the Medicare physician payment update system. (Legislative Update).
April 12, 2002... H.R. 3882 would reform the Medicare physician payment update system through repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) payment update system. Referred, jointly, to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

S. 4059 would amend the Public Health Service Act. (Legislative Update).
April 12, 2002... S. 4059 would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for Alzheimer's disease research and demonstration grants. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). Referred to the Committee on Health; Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S. 4057 would allow expanded medical residency training programs. (Legislative Update).
April 12, 2002... S. 4057 would allow expanded medical residency training programs in geriatric medicine and provide for reimbursement of care coordination and assessment services paid by Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). Referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 4043 would extend by five years the period for the provision. (Legislative Update).
April 12, 2002... S. 4043 would extend by five years the period for the provision by the secretary of Veterans Affairs of noninstitutional extended care services and required nursing home care, and for other purposes. Sen. John D. Rockefeller (D-WV). Referred to...

RUG overhaul challenge could benefit providers. (News).
April 12, 2002... The 2003 federal budget proposal released on Feb. 4 made the assumption that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would refine the Medicare resource utilization group (RUG) system - and therefore cut $5.6 billion in Medicare payments to...

Winners & Losers.
April 12, 2002... WINNERS & LOSERS Company name Percent change (*) Winners Sunrise Assisted Living (SRZ) 25% Genesis Health Ventures (GHVE) 21% Manor Care (HCR) ...

Experts: Ex-cons remain a viable workforce pool. (Business).
April 12, 2002... Pennsylvania's Commonwealth Court recently invalidated a state law barring people with certain criminal records from working in long-term care facilities and home health agencies. The case has been noted nationwide because of its possible...

Sunrise Assisted Living Inc. (New Business).
April 12, 2002... Sunrise Assisted Living Inc., McLean, VA, completed the previously announced sale of 12 assisted living communities for $197 million to an international investor group advised by Macquarie Capital Partners LLC. Sunrise will have a 20% interest...

Mercy health system. (New Business).
April 12, 2002... Mercy Health System, Chicago, announced the sale of Mercy Health Care Center in Homewood, IL, for $8.3 million. The sale was arranged by Encino, CA-based Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Brokerage Company. The buyer was an undisclosed...

CNL Retirement Corp. (New Business).
April 12, 2002... CNL Retirement Corp, Orlando, FL, finalized the purchase of two senior housing residences, The Homewood Residence in Coconut Creek, FL and the Holley Court Terrace in Oak Park, IL. CNL purchased the properties for $28 million from American...

Life Care St. John's Inc. (Construction).
April 12, 2002... Life Care St. John's Inc., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, announced the completion of Glenmoor Resort Retirement Community in St. Augustine, FL. The $38 million, 40-acre community offers independent living units, patio homes and apartments and a health...

The Alden Group Inc. (Construction).
April 12, 2002... * The Alden Group Inc. has completed construction on many of its buildings for its new 38-acre senior resort community, Alden of Waterford in Aurora, IL, a A 99-unit skilled nursing facility and an assisted-living/Alzheimer's complex.

Heartland Capital Corp. (Financing).
April 12, 2002... Heartland Capital Corp., Knoxville, TN, provided a $4.1 million fixed-rate, 28-year loan to the Madison Pointe Rehabilitations and Nursing Center in New Port Richey, FL. The 119-bed nursing facility will use the loan to refinance and make...

Ziegler gealthcare LLC. (Financing).
April 12, 2002... Ziegler Healthcare LLC, Shrewsbury, NJ, announced a $2 million mezzanine investment to a Northwest regional multi-facility owner/operator of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. The financing provided funds for the acquisition of a...

Theme-based open houses work best. (Marketing Issues).
April 12, 2002... Q: Do you have any suggestions as to how I should plan our open houses? A: We have a mantra by which we work: "Advertising gets people to know who you are, but public relations gets them to love you!" This relationship building is critical...

Staffing report undercuts own data. (Regulatory Issues).
April 12, 2002... Q: What do you think about CMS' new staffing study results? A: The most surprising aspect of the report titled, "Appropriateness of Minimum Nurse Staffing Ratios in Nursing Homes, Report to Congress: Phase II," was the way in which it was...

Employer liable for worker's negligent acts. (Legal Issues).
April 12, 2002... Q: When can we be held responsible if an employee obviously and recklessly disregards procedures and harms a patient? That wouldn't seem fair to us. A: The answer to this question will vary from state to state due to differences in state...

Speaking the same language shows respect. (Workplace Issues).
April 12, 2002... Q: Some of our employees are from other countries and like to talk in their own language, but it doesn't seem right sometimes. What can/should I do? A: Today's workplace is multi-cultural. As leaders and employees we need to respect and...

Ethical dilemmas in long-term care. (Resources).
April 12, 2002... Simon & Kolz Publishing published the second edition of Ethical Dilemmas in Long-Term Care. The revised resource book includes chapters on ethical issues in an LTC facility, ethical issues at the end of life, issues of professionalism and...

CNA pre-employment test. (Resources).
April 12, 2002... The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living are offering a CNA Pre-Employment Test designed to help recruiters save time by pre-qualifying certified nursing assistant applicants. The test takes 15-20 minutes...

Common signs of poor nutritional health. (Resources).
April 12, 2002... The Health Industry Distributors Association released Common Signs of Poor Nutritional Health, a resource that highlights common risk factors for unintended long-term care patient weight loss, dehydration, pressure ulcers and tube feeding...

CCAC risk management standard. (Resources).
April 12, 2002... The Continuing Care Accreditation Commission released a new risk management standard to help providers minimize their exposure to liability and respond appropriately if an adverse event occurs. The CCAC Risk Management Standard focuses on five...

www.NPAonline.org. (Resources).
April 12, 2002... The National PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) Association has developed a new Web site on community-based alternatives to nursing home care. The site, www.NPAonline.org, includes comprehensive information for consumers and...

Market monitor. (Resources).
April 12, 2002... Market Monitor Nursing facility measure: Depreciation and interest expense per resident day (median values) State 1998 1997 1996 Alabama 10.02 8.59 8.68 Alaska N/A...

Liko, Inc. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... Liko's new Sabina Comfort lift makes patients more comfortable while guiding them from sitting to standing. The Sabina comfort lift is for patients who can participate actively in standing or semi-standing from a sitting position but who are...

Keane Care, Inc. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... KEANE CARE, INC. is the leading provider of Long-Term and Post-Acute Care software. We offer VistaKEANE, a sophisticated, yet easy to use Windows-based financial and clinical software system. This fully integrated system easily handles the...

SCA Incontinence Care. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... SCA INCONTINENCE CARE has improved its medium, large and extra-large Dry Camfort[TM] Extra briefs with greater absorbency. End-users receive effective incontinence protection at a very competitive price. The only visible change is a "Now More...

Omnicare Senior Pharmacy Services. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... Omnicare Senior Pharmacy Services provides professional pharmacy services and related geriatric consulting and data management services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and other institutional health care providers....

Healthcare Services Group Inc. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... HEALTHCARE SERVICES GROUP INC. is the largest provider of housekeeping and laundry services for the healthcare and long-term care industries. (1,200+ facilities serviced). Now also provides food service. For more information, contact Healthcare...

W. A. Baum Co. Inc. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... W.A. BAUM CO. INC. introduces the Baum Pocket Aneroid, which features the Calibrated[R] V-Lok[R] Inflation System. The system indicates whether the correct cuff size is being used, with markings on the inner and outer surfaces of the cuff that...

Answers On Demand[R]. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... Answers On Demand[R] is an information management system designed specifically to meet the special needs and requirements of the long-term care industry. Answers On Demand[R] integrates a complete accounting package with clinical and...

Accu-Med Service Inc. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... Product/Service description: Software: Clinical MDS 2.0, Rugs III, MDS Electronic Submission, Care Plan, QI/Outcomes, Pre-Admissions/Cost Analysis, JCAHO Reporting, Financial Management, Scheduling, Time Card, Forecasting, Resource Management,...

Welch Allyn. (ACHCA'02 Show Stoppers).
April 12, 2002... The Welch Allyn[R] DuraShock[TM] Integrated Aneroid Sphygmomanometer incorporates patented, gear-free, helix-spring technology that represents the first major innovation in aneroid sphygmomanometers in over 100 years. The new gauge snaps...

Direct Supply eldercare interiors. (Consulting Services).
April 12, 2002... Eldercare Interiors, DIRECT SUPPLY'S team of professional consultants and designers, can plan your renovation or new construction from start to finish. According to the company, they offer interior design services, kitchen and laundry design,...

Glove reduces arthritis inflammation suffering. (Consulting Services).
April 12, 2002... United Pacific Inc. The Thermoskin [R] Arthritic Support Glove, for arthritis and repetitive strain sufferers, is made up of three layers. The durable scale-like texture of the arthritic glove's outer fabric is made of a non-slip material...

Bariatric chairs offer added safety and balance. (Consulting Services).
April 12, 2002... Rehab Seating Systems Inc. The new Ascender [TM] bariatric seating systems are designed and engineered specifically for the obese patient -- up to 1000 pounds. According to the company, these models feature added safety, proper balance and...

Thickening agent eases swallowing problems. (Consulting Services).
April 12, 2002... Phagia-Gel Technologies Simply Thick[TM] produces clear solutions. There are no undissolved or unappealing particles to detract from a beverage's appearance or flavor. According to the company, this thickening agent offers a solution to...

Infrared door alarm keeps wanderers safe. (Consulting Services).
April 12, 2002... Direct Supply Healthcare Equipment Direct Supply's new infrared door alarm from UMP supplements your use of bed and chair alarms to further ensure the safety of your wandering residents. According to the company, the alarm is secured to...

User-friendly touchscreen interface for nurse call. (Consulting Services).
April 12, 2002... Jeron Electronic Systems Inc. The new Omnilink[TM] Series 9700 Touchscreen Master provides a graphical user interface with the Provider[R] Nurse Call System and features customized full color floor maps, single touch operation, "drag and...

Disinfectant towels with bleach strong and durable. (Consulting Services).
April 12, 2002... Caltech Industries Inc. Dispatch[R] Hospital Cleaner Disinfectant towels with bleach now feature stronger and more durable towel fabric and come in convenient new packaging, according to the company. The new disposable pre-moistened towels...

Safe and secure. (People & Opinions).
April 12, 2002... When it comes to safety and security measures in long-term care, facilities have done more with less. That's the good news, It's also the bad news. A.L. Matthews, the executive director of the International Association of Healthcare Security...

Respect, but don't fear, the cliff. (Commentary).
April 12, 2002... This one is going to turn out OK. I am here to tell you not to fear driving over "the cliff." You can certainly expect some uncomfortable bumps. But fear not the mighty "cliff." I'm referring, of course, to the so-called "Medicare...

Douglas W. Day. (People).
April 12, 2002... Douglas W. Day has been promoted to vice president of the St. Barnabas Health System, which is based in Gibsonia, PA, and serves about 700 patients and residents in settings ranging from skilled nursing care to independent living.

Ellen Chadwick. (People).
April 12, 2002... Registered nurse Ellen Chadwick has been named director of the subacute rehabilitation unit at the Sarah Neuman Center for Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Mamaroneck, NY.

Vanessa Laidley-Tennies. (People).
April 12, 2002... Vanessa Laidley-Tennies was recently named administrator of the new Eskaton Village Grass Valley community, a 42-acre campus in Grass Valley, CA, expected to open this month with apartments for assisted and independent living.

William J. Donatelli. (People).
April 12, 2002... Nationwide pharmacy provider Neighbor-Care has named William J. Donatelli director of operations for Braintree Pharmacy in Braintree, MA, a long-term care pharmacy serving Boston and outlying markets.

Diana Crickard. (People).
April 12, 2002... Administrators in new positions in West Virginia include: Diana Crickard of Valley Haven Geriatric, Judy Hash of Laurel Nursing and Rehabilitation, Kay Cottrill of The Meadows at Maplewood, Judy Mohr of AMFM of Wyoming, Pam Woolums of AMFM of...

Joan F. Lampe. (People).
April 12, 2002... Joan F. Lampe was recently promoted to executive vice president of finance and CFO for the Eliza Jennings Group and its management company. The company also announced the promotion of licensed nursing home administrator James W. Rogerson to...

Gary Hopkins. (People).
April 12, 2002... Gary Hopkins, M.D., an associate in the Manheim Family Practice, was recently appointed medical director at Landis Homes in Pennsyvlania.

Joyce Stalgren. (People).
April 12, 2002... Joyce Stalgren was recently named administrator at Casa Real Health Care Center in Santa Fe, NM.

James H. Wells. (People).
April 12, 2002... James H. Wells has become CEO at the Navesink House, a continuing care retirement community in Red Bank, NJ.

Lawrence Rugar. (People).
April 12, 2002... Life Care Centers of America, Cleveland, TN, announced several new executive director appointments: Lawrence Rugar at its Yuma, AZ, center; Dan Knapp at the Lewiston, ID, facility; Ray Blinn in Plainwell, MI; Barbara Brown at the Scottsdale,...

Here's how to grow your census. (Having my Say).
April 12, 2002... Every organization has the opportunity to grow census. Too often, a low census is blamed on external factors. During the late 90's, I worked with a long-term care facility that felt declining census was a fact of life due to industry...

Letters.
April 12, 2002... GRADE SYSTEM IS CRAZY To the Editor: On the cover of your March 1 edition, in the "Late Breaking News" column, you ran a short announcement about a "controversial analysis" of nursing home inspections and complaint reports that listed...

Rising DON builds better teams, crosses barriers. (LTC Profile).
April 12, 2002... JEANNIE GAULT What does it take to earn the Nursing Home Association of Oklahoma's coveted "DON of the Year" award? Some may think any director of nursing who graciously holds the position for nearly two decades deserves the honor. But...