McKnight's Long-Term Care News articles from April 2004

McKnight's Long-Term Care News archives from April 2004

Report: SNF bed prices 'bottom out'.
April 12, 2004... The average price per bed paid for skilled nursing facilities fell 17% in 2003, according to an analysis by Irving Levin Associates. At the same time, there was a resurgence in the average price per unit for assisted living and independent...

Fourteen U.S. senators urged.(Late Breaking News)
April 12, 2004... Fourteen U.S. senators urged the Department of Homeland Security to delay a regulation that would require foreigners, including Canadians, who come to the United States to work as nurses to hold a certificate issued by the Commission on...

The Senate confirmed.(Late Breaking News)
April 12, 2004... The Senate confirmed President Bush's nomination of Mark McClellan as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator in a voice vote without formal debate. McClellan's nomination had been mired in controversy before he agreed to testify...

Investigators looking for the cause of the fire.(Late Breaking News)
April 12, 2004... Investigators looking for the cause of the fire at a Nashville nursing home that killed 15 residents in December have ruled out an electric bed but shifted their focus to two other undisclosed materials taken from the home. The fire, at NHC...

A federal policy that says homeowners.(Late Breaking News)
April 12, 2004... A federal policy that says homeowners would be more likely to use reverse mortgages to finance long-term care insurance may be in-appropriate for many people, and probably won't compel many to buy long-term care insurance, says a new study...

Cognitive decline in elderly.(Late Breaking News)
April 12, 2004... Cognitive decline in elderly people who smoke may be five times taster than in nonsmokers, according to a European study of 9,000 seniors published in the journal Neurology.

Actuary sees cuts ahead for Medicare.
April 12, 2004... A prediction of falling Medicare reimbursements for nursing homes in 2006 and 2007 by a government actuary left providers scratching their heads and contemplating the worst at press time. Chief Medicare Actuary Richard Foster told Congress...

Databank ... the price is wrong.
April 12, 2004... Fewer than 1 in 6 Americans come anywhere near correctly estimating annual nursing home costs. Estimated too low 51% Didn't know 24% Estimated within 20% of national...

Hard data.
April 12, 2004... 2 The number (out of 14) of funded applications in enhancing patient-care delivery systems programs that went to long-term care providers under the first round of Nurse Reinvestment Act grants. 21 The likelihood of a woman having a stroke...

FDA guidance on bed-safety regulations expected soon.(Regulation)
April 12, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration hopes to make hospital and nursing home beds safer with its soon-to-be released recommendations for dimensions of bed systems used by patients in nursing homes, hospitals and home care settings. Though not...

Report dissects top nonprofits for first time.(Research)
April 12, 2004... A new report offers a quantitative look at the nation's 100 largest not-for-profit; multi-site senior living organizations. The "AAHSA Ziegler 100" was developed to provide an annual update for investors, lenders and policymakers about the...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.(Regulatory)
April 12, 2004... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is asking the public for comment on whether to cover a proposed Alzheimer's diagnosing procedure, flurodexyglucose positron emission tomography, an imaging procedure. The University of California at...

The Senate passed a $2.36 billion.(Legislative)
April 12, 2004... The Senate passed a $2.36 billion budget that contained no Medicaid cuts, but. acting later, the House Budget Committee voted to recommend cuts that would almost assuredly require Medicaid cuts. A full House vote and subsequent conference...

The Medicare payment advisory.(Legislative)
April 12, 2004... The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission released a draft recommendation to redefine long-term care hospitals under Medicare. MedPAC suggested limiting LTCHs' ability to provide care to patients who can-be served more appropriately in acute...

Sailing toward profitability: Mariner Health Care's chief executive talks about how he aims to simplify and streamline operations to stabilize the recently bankrupt chain.(News)
April 12, 2004... Mariner Health Cares Chief Executive C. Christian Winkle seems to have a lot to smile about these days. Not only has his nursing home company's stock price soared to $22 from $3 since last May, but he also has scored key victories in his...

Too much water, foreign nurses, osteoarthritis.(Nursing News)
April 12, 2004... Researchers from universities in the United Kingdom and the United States and the National Institutes of Health said seniors who drink more than eight glasses of water a day may be over-hydrating themselves. They studied 458 people ages 40 to...

Panel backs delay of nurse certification rule.(Nursing News)
April 12, 2004... The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools told the Department of Homeland Security it does not object to delaying a pending rule requiring immigrant nurses to be certified by a credentialing body before they can work as a health...

Foreign-nurse screener may face competitors.(Nursing News)
April 12, 2004... The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, which has the lone authority to prescreen the nation's supply of immigrant nurses, may soon face competition. This is a change that officials reportedly hope may ease the U.S. nursing...

Study seeks seniors with osteoarthritis risk.(Nursing News)
April 12, 2004... The National Institutes of Health has partnered with industry to launch the Osteoarthritis Initiative to find biological markers that may help diagnose and treat osteoarthritis. They are recruiting people age 45 and older at risk for developing...

ACE inhibitors may cut risk of dry eye syndrome.(Pharmacy News)
April 12, 2004... Blood pressure drugs known as ACE inhibitors may reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome, study in the Archives of Ophthalmology reports. ACE inhibitors include Zestril, Vasotec and Accupril. Dr. Barbara E.K. Klein, of the University of...

Antidepressant linked to liver failure targeted.(Pharmacy News)
April 12, 2004... Consumer watchdog group Public Citizen filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration saying the agency unreasonably delayed action on removing the antidepressant Serzone from the market. The drug, with the generic name...

The future face of long-term care? New technologies are taking center stage as caregivers look to improve efficiencies, make better diagnoses and keep people independent longer.(Special Report)
April 12, 2004... Imagine being able to fill out half of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) without ever lifting a finger. How about personalized medication reminders flashing across a television screen during relaxation time? Both could help improve the healthcare of...

Tennessee: facilities must disclose sprinkler status.(State News)
April 12, 2004... Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other senior care homes must inform the state whether they have sprinkler systems under a law signed March 18 by Gov. Phil Bredesen. "This seemed like a very good first step to at least make the...

Georgia: Medicaid runs out of money during stalemate.(Southeast)
April 12, 2004... Nursing home, hospital and physician bills began to go unpaid as the state's Medicaid program ran out of money amid mid-year budget squabbles among Democrats and Republicans. Cash flow could have been interrupted less than a week, depending...

Illinois: employee 'pranks' lead to state fine, resignations.(Midwest)
April 12, 2004... Fallout continued from employee "pranks" that led to resident intimidation and tears when the state health department slapped Scott County Nursing Center with a $20,000 fine. Examples of former employees inflicting mental abuse included...

Wisconsin: LPN in force-feeding death gets 13 months.(Midwest)
April 12, 2004... The Wisconsin licensed practical nurse who was convicted of force-feeding a resident who later died has been handed a 13-month prison term. The nurse, Sharon Dawson, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a felony charge of intentional abuse....

Rhode Island: providers pushing for more dental pay.(Northeast)
April 12, 2004... State nursing home operators are pinning hopes on proposals that would increase payments for residents' dental work. Identical bills introduced in the House and the Senate in February would raise pay to dentists, dental hygienists and...

Pennsylvania: fraud gets owner prison, restitution.(Northeast)
April 12, 2004... A Pennsylvania nursing home owner has been sentenced to four to 12 years in prison for fraudulently taking New York Medicaid funds. David Arnold also must pay $1 million in restitution and a $10,000 fine. The owner of the 145-bed Heritage...

New York: bill would require open 'quality' info.(Northeast)
April 12, 2004... The state assembly passed the "Nursing Home Quality" bill, which calls for the creation of a profiling system of skilled nursing facilities for consumers. Among other things, Bill A.8022-B calls for the Department of Health to study...

New Jersey: governor wants 5,000 out of nursing homes.(Northeast)
April 12, 2004... Gov. James E. McGreevey signed an executive order March 23 to give seniors in long-term care options other than nursing homes. The state Department of Health and Senior Services now must establish a system under which seniors can more easily...

Texas: daughter wants more from jury for ant bites.(Southwest)
April 12, 2004... A Galveston jury awarded $136,000 to the daughter of a resident found to have hundreds of fire-ant bites shortly before she died. The plaintiff, however, had sought $2.5 million in damages and planned to appeal, according to the Houston...

New Mexico: governor signs Medicaid False Claims Act.(Southwest)
April 12, 2004... There are new opportunities for whistleblower awards and civil-action claims now that Gov. Bill Richardson (D) has enacted the Medicaid False Claims Act. The measure passed both chambers of the legislature unanimously. The law is part of...

South Dakota: banner pays towns for selling facilities.(Plains/Mountains)
April 12, 2004... Banner Health Systems reached a settlement with the state to pay $1.8 million to several communities that hosted nursing homes and hospitals the company sold in 2001. "We're absolutely delighted," Attorney General Larry Long said while...

Correction.(News)(Correction Notice)
April 12, 2004... A quote in an article in our Feb. 9, 2004, issue was published incorrectly due to a transcription error. In the article "Incontinence training programs getting more focus" (page 8), Sue Ann Guildermann should have been quoted as saying, "Now we...

Proactive billing can help boost private-pay revenue.(Reimbursement)
April 12, 2004... In light of today's Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rate levels, it's little wonder long-term care providers are putting so much stock in private-pay revenue. Unfortunately, reimbursement experts agree that many providers are missing out on...

Private firm ranks 'best', 'worst' nursing-home cities.(Quality)
April 12, 2004... If you're a nursing home operator in Los Angeles, you appear to be in the best area in the nation for skilled-nursing providers. At least that's the implication from the most recent analysis of nursing home licensing surveys and...

Assessors' attention to detail makes a big difference.(Resident Coding)
April 12, 2004... Though Peggy Hamlin has worked in a Colorado nursing home for 22 years and has administered the Minimum Data Set coding since its inception, she still furiously tries to keep pace with updates, changes and interpretations. She even sits on...

Market monitor.(News)
April 12, 2004... MARKET MONITOR Resident skin-care characteristics, 2002 Pressure Nosocomial Preventative sores pressure skin care United States ...

Testimony: better data, home-like approach will aid care.(Quality Care)
April 12, 2004... Nursing homes can deliver better care by becoming less institutional and managing information more accurately, witnesses recently told a congressional committee. More facilities should embrace the Pioneer Network approach, according to...

Kindred Healthcare reported a loss.(Earnings)
April 12, 2004... Kindred Healthcare reported a loss of $30.4 million for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2003--down from a $3 million profit in the year-earlier quarter. Kindred notched fourth quarter revenues of $831 million, up 5% from $792 million. The...

Advocat Inc. reported fourth.(Earnings)
April 12, 2004... Advocat Inc. reported fourth quarter net income of $2.47 million, compared with a $6.5 million loss in the year-earlier quarter. The company showed fourth quarter revenues of $52.5 million, compared with $44.5 million in 2002. The Franklin, IN...

Sun Healthcare Group began.(New listing)
April 12, 2004... Sun Healthcare Group began trading its stock again on the NASDAQ exchange March 10 under the ticket SUNH. The Irvine, CA-based company raised more than $52 million in February with a private placement of common stock and warrants that allow...

States are not the only customers.(Worth Watching)
April 12, 2004... States are not the only customers calling for alternatives to nursing homes. Increasingly, consumer groups are, too. For example, New Jersey's AARP chapter has released a report that recommends steering more funding for long term care to borne...

A study in mice suggests a low calorie diet.(Worth Watching)
April 12, 2004... A study in mice suggests a low calorie diet could help extend life even if the dietary change doesn't start until old age. The study, appearing in the Proceedings or the National Academy of Sciences, showed that mice at a relatively advanced...

New forces in laundry rooms.(Services)
April 12, 2004... While fancier controls and advanced technology may have made washing and drying a bit easier in recent years, there has still been no rest for those who manage the laundry at nursing homes. Sicker residents and high incontinence rates have...

Genesis looks strong after split--so far.(Executive Decisions)
April 12, 2004... Q The financial results from the must recent quarter look promising. To what factors do you credit these solid results? A We are encouraged by a stabilizing reimbursement environment, led by the recovery of a portion of the so-called...

More considering switch to electronic records.(Managing Technology)
April 12, 2004... In an era when data management has become central to reimbursement and quality improvement many long-term care providers are starting to consider transitioning to an electronic health record (EHR) system. At the most basic level, an EHR...

Camera phones often no reason to smile.(Legal Matters)
April 12, 2004... Q How should we deal with the use of "camera phones" by patients and staff In our faclllty? A "Camera phones"--cellular phones with miniature cameras that permit users to beam photos to other camera phones, e-mail addresses or the...

Targeted MDS checking may take place this year.(Regulations/Compliance)
April 12, 2004... Q The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that it is taking the DAVE Project national. What does this mean for skirled-nursing facilities? A It is important for providers to keep in mind what CMS is trying to accomplish...

Improving economy heightens turnover risk.(Staffing Concerns)
April 12, 2004... Q Holding onto employees has always been a challenge in the long-term care field. I am concerned, that as the economy improves, I will see an even greater amount of turnover. Am I right to be concerned? Any suggestions? A I do believe that...

Check 'skill' sets when coding residents.(Payment Answers)
April 12, 2004... Q If a resident codes into one of the upper 26 RUGs III categories, does that mean they are automatically skilled? A In late 2003, CMS placed an updated, revised SNF Manual on the Internet. You can access it through the www.cms.gov Web...

Cash flow problems--and how to steer clear of them.(P&L Journal)
April 12, 2004... It's not cliche: Cash really is king. The challenge for today's aging services provider is to optimize the quality of care provided while minimizing expense and maximizing revenue. The ill-prepared provider spends too little time understanding...

Directemp meal delivery systems.(New Products)
April 12, 2004... * Meal delivery systems make selecting a program easy * Includes everything for heating and delivering hot meals * 30 minute, 50 minute, 90 minute poly or 90 minute wax * Offered by Direct Supply Circle 161 on reader service...

Berkshires collection: Sheffield.(New Products)
April 12, 2004... * Combines 17 older colors with newer trends to easily update a facility's look * Available in 6 foot broadloom rolls and modular tile * Made by C&A Circle 162 on reader service card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Invacare continuing care group's new recliners.(New Products)
April 12, 2004... * Three new ergonomically designed recliners offer optimum support * Delux's flex-o-later seating prevents bottoming out * The clinical recliner has a trigger release, locking swivel casters * All three come in rosewood, jade and...

Merry stand by me.(New Products)
April 12, 2004... * Teaches self-ambulatory residents to self-rehabilitate * Bottom-weighted steel frame is secure and fits around wheelchairs * Designed by a geriatric psychologist to comply with OSHA recommendations * Produced by the Merry Walker...

HealthMEDX software.(New Products)
April 12, 2004... * New company offers software to aid long-term care providers * eWorkflow helps to consolidate information and manage workflow * WebCARE automates clinical, financial and administrative functions Circle 165 on reader service card...

Dawnmist[R] enemas.(New Products)
April 12, 2004... * Has a flexible, lubricated tip for comfort * Comes with an anti reflux valve for safety * Available in both phosphate and mineral oil formulas * Produced by Donovan industries Circle 166 on reader service card ...

Basic-Check[TM] and Classic-Check[TM] monitors.(New Products)
April 12, 2004... * Basic-Check[TM] is a simple monitor for a chair, wheel chair or toilet * Classic-Check[TM] has 10 alarm tones and seven volume settings * Both use Bed-check Sensormats and monitor automatically * Made by Bed-Check Corp. ...

MDI Technologies e-charting.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... New e charting from MDI Technologies uses wireless technology to provide mobile, real-time documentation capabilities. Now clinicians can document medication dispensation, complete MDSs and other important assessments at the bedside or anywhere...

QuickCARE Software Services.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... Virtually runs itself. Powerful, affordable and scalable clinical A/R, Billing, A/P, G/L and payroll software includes: drug interactions with real time assistance for resident care strategies, tighter database controls that assist with HIPAA...

Smart Charting.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... Smart Charting is a fully integrated, automated charting system that delivers real-time, two-way clinical communication directly at the point of care. It addresses industry concerns by helping maximize staff while optimizing billing. And...

Electronic remittance advice.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... If you submit electronic claims in the HIPAA-compliant format, now you can receive your remittance advice electronically. Take advantage of the instant efficiencies in cash application and reconciliation possible by changing from paper to...

Accu-Med Services.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... From bedside MDS entry to QM, clinical, financial, rehab and integrated software solutions, Accu-Med Services is the software leader in long term care. Now offering Orcas enterprise software and Cypress therapy management. Accu-Med...

Prime Care Ensemble.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... Prime Care Ensemble is a software suite that controls costs and streamlines operations. The PASScan module is an ancillary scanning system with full inventory tracking. It electronically interfaces with national vendors for easy ordering,...

American Data.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... Dedicated to long term care computer solutions since 1984, American Data has focused on daily "documentation" of care delivery staff as the true source of all other required documents. Thus, ECS (Electronic Chart System) with accounts...

HCS INTERACTANT.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... HCS INTERACTANT is an integrated long-term care information system that includes registration, census, MDS, care planning, clinical documentation, billing and financial tools. INTERACTANT supports both stand-alone and multi site providers using...

Interactive Health Network.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... IHN Suite, our integrated clinical and financial solution for long-term care, includes the software modules necessary to assist you in successfully automating the clinical and financial management functions within your nursing center. Contact...

CareTracker.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... Resource Systems is the developer of Care Tracker, an innovative system for collecting ADIs, mood/behavior, bowel/bladder, restorative and all types of supportive documentation using wall-mounted touch screens. The additional accuracy of...

Advanced Answers On Demand.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... Advanced Answers On Demand specializes in software management systems specifically designed to meet the needs of the senior healthcare industry. Our software integrates a complete financial, payroll and HR package as well as clinical,...

PointClickCare Multi-Site Edition.(Product Focus)
April 12, 2004... PointClickCare Multi-Site Edition is specifically designed to meet the needs of larger more complex providers. With Multi-Site Edition, you get the best of both worlds: the power to support large organizations, with the ease of use and low...

Worth repeating.(People & Opinions)
April 12, 2004... "He's just kind of the most down to earth intellectual you'll ever meet. He's responded to e-mails I've sent him within a day." Jeramy Summers, administrator at Mariner Health of Woodwind Lakes in Houston, a 10-year company veteran, on C....

Putting care into perspective.(Q&A)
April 12, 2004... Q&A The Pepper Institute's Jill Quadagno has been involved in an array of long-term care research initiatives in recent years. She expects her ongoing studies to not only identify work force problems in the long-term care community but also...

Technically nothing to fear.(Commentary)
April 12, 2004... If you flipped past our special report on "New technologies to watch" without reading it, go back to page 10 (after you finish this, of course). You might be like me and not consider yourself technically inclined at all. But that's OK. You...

Falls reduction perspective.(Readers' Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 12, 2004... Thanks for publishing the article on the importance of fall reduction programs in long-term care facilities ("Providers aim to reduce inevitable falls, lower costs," March 1, 2004, p. 8). This is a critical area for providers, not only rot the...

Floyd Propps.(Milestones)
April 12, 2004... FLOYD PROPPS is the executive director for the nonprofit organization Center of Family Love in the Oklahoma City suburb of Okarche. A licensed nursing home administrator and attorney, Propps will oversee the organization. which serves about 150...

Extendicare Health Services Inc.(Milestones)
April 12, 2004... PHILIP SMALL has been named executive vice president and COO of Extendicare Health Services Inc., Milwaukee. Previously, Small was senior vice president of strategic planning and development for Extendicare, which he joined in 2001. Before...

American Baptist Homes.(Milestones)
April 12, 2004... In moves made in California, STEVE WUITSCHICK was recently named senior vice president and chief operations manager for American Baptist Homes of the West. Also, GARY STORK is the executive director at The Covington in Aliso Viejo, and...

Resources for Senior Living.(Milestones)
April 12, 2004... DAVID STERN has been elevated to senior vice president of finance at Resources for Senior Living, Charlotte, NC. He will oversee accounting and finance in the company's operations and development areas.

Heartfelt goodbyes: workers at an upstate New York nursing home truly save some of their 'best for last,' volunteering companionship during off hours for families in need.(McKnight's LTCN profile)
April 12, 2004... The source of the latest award-winning program at a small, island-based New York nursing home is clear: It is the heart. Some workers at ElderWood Health Care at Riverwood, on Grand Island, NY, leap at the opportunity to spend extra, unpaid...

This long-term care option is a no-brainer: beat the system by checking into a hotel? Could give 'room service' a new meaning.(Parting Shots)
April 12, 2004... Comedian Steve Martin offers the following helpful advice for becoming a millionaire: "First, you get a million dollars..." Hopefully, Mort Crim also had his tongue firmly in cheek when he penned a recent column for the Detroit Free Press,...

Governor's proposed funding cut fiercely opposed: tensions in Minnesota have been high this year between providers and state officials. Nursing homes have reported a spike in survey citations, and the governor's budget proposal called for a drastic cut in funding.(Minnesota)
April 12, 2004... But it appeared at press time that operators had made progress in helping turn back Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed 1.5% reimbursement cuts for nursing home and certain other adult services. Pawlenty's proposal, aimed at shoring up a state...