McKnight's Long-Term Care News articles from August 2003

McKnight's Long-Term Care News archives from August 2003

Medicaid waiver plan flawed: GAO.
August 5, 2003... A Medicaid waiver program designed to help stales provide better long-term care services is flawed, according to a federal investigation. A General Accounting Office report released July 7 claims that many states are failing to provide...

Tort reform efforts died in the U.S. Senate, when a Republican backed measure that would cap medical lawsuit awards failed to garner enough votes to end debate on the bill.(Late Breaking News)
August 5, 2003... Tort reform efforts died in the U.S. Senate, when a Republican backed measure that would cap medical lawsuit awards failed to garner enough votes to end debate on the bill. Only 49 of 60 votes needed were cast in action July 9.

Ombudsmen complaints against nursing homes rose 23% (up to 186,000) between 1996 and 2000, according to a report from the office of the Inspector General.(Late Breaking News)
August 5, 2003... Ombudsmen complaints against nursing homes rose 23% (up to 186,000) between 1996 and 2000, according to a report from the office of the Inspector General. While the volume increased the nature of the leading complaints held steady, with failure...

The Fitch Ratings Health Care Group.(Late Breaking News)
August 5, 2003... The Fitch Ratings Health Care Group issued seven downgrades and no upgrades in the long-term care sector between January and June. Low returns and "operating license inflation" were cited as drags on the sector. Fitch expects the same problems...

Genesis Health Ventures and Elder Trust, an equity healthcare real estate investment trust agreed to a $132.1 million deal.(Late Breaking News)
August 5, 2003... Genesis Health Ventures and Elder Trust, an equity healthcare real estate investment trust agreed to a $132.1 million deal that would put 15 properties under the oversight or planned spin off Genesis HealthCare Corp.

Genesis Health Ventures.(Late Breaking News)
August 5, 2003... Genesis Health Ventures named John J. Arlotta vice chairman, putting him in charge of the firm's recently carved out NeighborCare pharmacy business. Arlotta formerly served as president and COO of Caremark Pharmaceutical Services.

Overweight elderly people.(Late Breaking News)
August 5, 2003... Overweight elderly people are mere likely to be stricken by Alzheimer's disease, Swiss researchers reported.

Databank.... administrator salaries.
August 5, 2003... DATABANK.... ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES The median salary for nursing home administrators rose 3.38% between 2002 and 2003, according to a nationwide survey of 2,250 facilities. Year Median Salary 2001 $65,773 2002...

GAO report finds care improving.
August 5, 2003... Care at nursing homes nationwide is improving, but it still has far to go, according to a new General Accounting Office report. The percent of residents receiving inadequate care or experiencing physical harm dropped to 20% from 29% during...

Hard data.(News)
August 5, 2003... 8 Percentage rise in enrollment in nursing schools last year, which still leaves 10,000 fewer students than in 1995, the first year of decline, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 42 The number of privately held...

State of the states hurting as bewitching hour hits.(Reimbursement)
August 5, 2003... The federal government has the relative luxury of being able to blow a budget deadline every now and then. Not so when it comes to the individual states. Hard cuts must be made and budget deals must be completed. For most states, the...

Most states considering malpractice reform.(Liability)
August 5, 2003... Nearly two-thirds of states have already debated creating their own solutions to rising medical malpractice costs, according to a study by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Instituting actual tort reform however, has been somewhat...

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded that filling out a Separate column for musculoskeletal disorders on its record keeping from would not hel.(Regulatory issues)
August 5, 2003... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded that filling out a Separate column for musculoskeletal disorders on its record keeping from would not help identify possible causes or preventive methods. On June 30, it published a...

Medicare home health payments will increase by 3.3%, or $340 million, for fiscal 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced.(Regulatory issues)
August 5, 2003... Medicare home health payments will increase by 3.3%, or $340 million, for fiscal 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced. Details of the home health prospective payment system update are now in the final weeks of a 60-day...

An advisory panel to the Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter counseling to Secretary Tommy Thompson, urging flexibility in enforcement of the transaction and code set regulations of the Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act during the first six months after the Oct. 16 Compliance date.(Regulatory issues)
August 5, 2003... An advisory panel to the Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter counseling to Secretary Tommy Thompson, urging flexibility in enforcement of the transaction and code set regulations of the Health Insurance and Portability...

Dispute resolution tested: after an 18-month federally funded test, regulators and providers in Iowa think they have found a better informal dispute resolution process.
August 5, 2003... For nursing homes, the informal dispute resolution process often feels like anything but "preaching to the choir." But results from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recent demonstration projects could lead to more harmony for the...

Assaults, overtime revisions, infection control.(Nursing News)
August 5, 2003... A study out of West Virginia University shows that half of the state's workers assaulted on the job over a three-year span worked at nursing homes, hospitals or other healthcare facilities. Researcher Syed S. Islam, an associate professor of...

New York aides criminal background checks.(Nursing News)
August 5, 2003... Considering it all but a done deal, stale of New York officials announced in early July that nursing home aides would have to undergo FBI criminal background checks. New applicants would be checked immediately, while current employees would be...

Nurses protest proposed overtime revisions.(Nursing News)
August 5, 2003... The American Nurses Association has protested revisions from the Department of Labor and legislation that it says would "undermine" some of the crucial protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees who devote more than 20% of...

JCAHO seeks input on infection control standards.(Nursing News)
August 5, 2003... The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is asking healthcare professionals for input on revised infection control standards. They cover long-term care, behavioral healthcare and other aspects of healthcare and are...

Scientists back 'polypill' for pre-emptying ills.(Pharmacy News)
August 5, 2003... Researchers have proposed that five widely used drugs be combined into it single pill for people older than 54. PHARMACY The "polypill" could protect millions of people from heart attacks and strokes, they said. The benefits of such a pill...

Docs: journals, groups influence decisions most.(Pharmacy News)
August 5, 2003... Primary care physicians named peer reviewed journals were far and away the "top influencer" when it comes to prescribing decisions. Journals were named by 80% of respondents, followed by industry associations and meetings (34%), sales...

Kindred Healthcare.
August 5, 2003... Kindred Healthcare's second-quarter pre4ax losses are expected to be in the $55 million to $60 million range. Much of the loss will be attributed to divestiture of facilities in Florida and Texas. The Louisville, KY-based company announced...

Beverly Enterprises Inc.
August 5, 2003... Beverly Enterprises Inc. has sold 18 skilled nursing facilities and two assisted living centers scattered throughout the Southeast. Beverly and its subsidiaries operate 428 skilled nursing facilities and 26 assisted living centers. The sale of...

The stress of home care.(Worth Watching)
August 5, 2003... The stress of home care for an Alzheimer's patient can prematurely age the caregiver's immune system, putting caregivers at risk of developing a raft of age related diseases researchers have found. This study suggests caregivers under the most...

Demographics and facility.(Worth Watching)
August 5, 2003... Demographics and facility characteristics can significantly affect a severely demented residents chances of being given a feeding tube, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers looked at more than...

Independents' day here?(Operations)
August 5, 2003... For years, independent nursing homes have been pounded by unrelenting market currents, straggling alone to survive waves of reimbursement cuts, regulatory changes, and bad press--all while trying to hold on to staff with a known propensity far...

Technology key to improving healthcare.(Executive Decisions)
August 5, 2003... Q Why is the Department of Health and Human Services focusing on the better use of technology in healthcare? A I know that the better use of technology can improve healthcare, and I want to make sure my department is fully on the side of...

Facility's design elements are critical from the start.(Industry Innovators)
August 5, 2003... There are thousands of things to think of, from top to bottom, when you focus on the design of your facility. Design items of interest from under your feet to over your head are discussed here. The Antron[R] nylon carpet facing, for...

New mantra: save profits, build capacity.(Managing Technology)
August 5, 2003... More long-term care operators are turning to new analytic tools designed to preserve profits while increasing productivity in a sluggish economy. In fact, the use of such tools is up by 60% this year, according to a new study by the consulting...

Advance arbitration clauses need good design.(Legal Matters)
August 5, 2003... Q Do advance-arbitration clauses for new employees hold up and do you recommend them? A In recent years, binding arbitration has become a popular method for employers to use to resolve employment disputes with their employees. By and...

Correction.(Legal Matters)
August 5, 2003... Due to a typographical error, my June 13 article had an incorrect requirement for plans of correction. They are required for all deficiencies higher than an "A". Attorney John Durso, Esq., is a partner with the Chicago office of Michael...

Safe to expect another theraphy cap moratorium.(Regulations/Compliance)
August 5, 2003... Q With the House passing a measure for a year-long moratorium on the therapy caps starting January 1, 2004; the Senate including no therapy cap language at all in its Medicare bill; and the CMS therapy cap delay ending on September 1, what can...

Make DON a leader, not just manager.(Staffing Concerns)
August 5, 2003... Q I have a director of nursing who is great and a nursing staff, for the most part, which is great. But they are always at loggerheads and I'm afraid that either she or a number of staff members will leave pretty soon just because they don't...

ADLs, therapists coding still problematic.(Payment Answers)
August 5, 2003... Q The OIG, among others, says that ADL coding often isn't being done correctly. What must providers do to ensure the best coding, and reimbursement? And what do you think of allowing therapists to code? A In my experience, I have to agree...

Interest rates should remain attractive.(P&L Journal)
August 5, 2003... Interest rates have been heading down for more than two years, and are now sitting at 50-year lows. Since interest rate movements are a good leading indicator, this historic occasion must mean something. Interest rates are driven partly by...

Market monitor.(Business)
August 5, 2003... MARKET MONITOR Facilities by size category, 2001 120 beds United States 4,328 7,475 4.872 Alabama 29 108 91 Alaska ...

Space tables.(Product Focus)
August 5, 2003... Transportable, tiltable, height-adjustable tables for dining to meet the needs of all residents. Available in many sizes, shapes and color combinations. As your census changes, you needn't disrupt the seating of other residents. Will...

Direct supply.(Product Focus)
August 5, 2003... Direct Supply introduces its exclusive Maxwell Thomas[TM] Overhed Tables, designed specifically for eldercare. The tables have seamless, thermoformed laminate tops that are highly resistant to moisture penetration, bacteria and harsh...

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.(Product Focus)
August 5, 2003... Healthcare Services Group, with a claim as the largest provider of housekeeping/laundry services to the long-term care industry, offers all services customized to your facility's specific needs and problem areas. Servicing the...

Prime Care Technologies.(Product Focus)
August 5, 2003... Prime Care Technologies understands how financial constraints affect the long-term care industry. What are they doing about it? They are creating their own unique, affordable software programs and application hosting services. This allows...

Rescue assistance system.(New Products)
August 5, 2003... * Control panel supports up to 20 rescue assistance areas * Station panel allows individuals to speak to rescue personnel without activating additional switches * Reset button restores entire system to stand-by status * Made by...

Commercial cleaning products.(New Products)
August 5, 2003... * Cleaning solutions for a full range of needs from floor cleaners to odor control * Bulk form is a cost effective choice * Available in either concentrate form that requires dilution or ready-to-use form * Manufactured by 3M...

Self-cleaning bedside commode.(New Products)
August 5, 2003... * The Royal Flush[TM] eliminates manual cleaning process with semi-automatic operation * Bowl unit is lifted off chair section. placed on top of a toilet bowl and waste emptied with the turn of a handle * Minimal exposure of the...

Medical charting system.(New Products)
August 5, 2003... * Overbed Privacy Chartholders protect patient records and ensure privacy * Chart can be easily attached and removed from patient-bed footboard * Conceals top sheet of enclosed charts from public view * Made by Carstens Inc. ...

Worth repeating.(People & Opinions)
August 5, 2003... "In the most successful companies, we noticed that they're better run organizations and they never take their eye off the ball at the facility level." Jim Rodeghero, president of RCG, a Los Angeles-based consulting group that assisted on a...

Focus on staff, family links.(Q&A)
August 5, 2003... Q & A As a risk management strategy, learning to get along with families is probably one of the "smartest" things nursing home workers can do, says Rhoda Meador, a specialist in family-staff relationships. Also an expert on recruitment and...

McKnight's honored again.(Commentary)
August 5, 2003... There are some features in our magazine that you have crone to expect and enjoy annually, such as our salary surveys, industry directory and Software Source and Lender's Source reference guides. Now, we're proud to say, there is another...

What's on your wish list for physical plant improvements at your facility?(Reader Poll)
August 5, 2003... SUSAN COLVIN Assistant Director of Nursing, Avanti, Waynesboro, VA Adding an Alzheimer's unit. In my area, the Alzehimer's population is increasing and there's no place to put them. That's my dream: to build my own facility with all...

'Community,' not industry.(Reader's Letters)
August 5, 2003... While driving to my facility this morning, I was listening to the radio. The announcer reported that the Florida House and Senate were debating their tort reform bills. The reporter went on to say that the safeguards in the final bill would...

Senior Health Partners.(Milestones)
August 5, 2003... GERRY POLONY is the new President and CEO of Senior Health Partners, a company which provides community-based long-term care services to elderly citizens in New York City. Previously, she served as vice president of GuildNet and home care...

Intercounty Health Facilities Association.(Milestones)
August 5, 2003... ROBERT HEPPENHEIMER was recently named the President of Intercounty Health Facilities Association, which serves more than 10,000 residents and patients on Long Island. New York. He has worked in the long-term care field for more than 25 years...

Casa de Santa Fe.(Milestones)
August 5, 2003... LOIS ROLAND is the new administrator at Casa de Santa Fe in Rocklin, CA. She was appointed by Eskaton, a retirement living and long-term care corporation, her employer since 1995.

Heidi Smith, Donna Rose, Deanne Sherrod and Darlene Blanchette have been appointed directors of nursing at healthcare facilities in Vermont.(Milestones)
August 5, 2003... HEIDI SMITH, DONNA ROSE, DEANNE SHERROD and DARLENE BLANCHETTE have been appointed directors of nursing at healthcare facilities in Vermont. Smith is DON at Cedar Hill Continuing Care Center, Rose at Thompson House, Sherrod at Mertens House and...

Donnelly Place.(Milestones)
August 5, 2003... MARION NEUHAUS is the new director of nursing for Donnelly Place, A Classic Residence, by Hyatt Care Center in Lantana, FL. She will work closely with the facility's administrator to manage the care of residents at the Palm Beach County care...

Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System.(Milestones)
August 5, 2003... LAURA ANN BRANNIGAN has been appointed the corporate director of performance improvement and community services at the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System in New York. Most recently, Brannigan served as a nurse educator at Parker Jewish...

Florida licensed practical nurse Arthur L. Evans received the Founder Award from Classic Residence by Hyatt, the senior living affiliate of Hyatt Corp.(Milestones)
August 5, 2003... Florida licensed practical nurse ARTHUR L. EVANS received the Founder Award from Classic Residence by Hyatt, the senior living affiliate of Hyatt Corp. He is the second recipient of the award, which was previously given to the company's founder...

Heartfelt, confident: a New Jersey DON is recognized for her caring nature and active recruitment and outreach efforts.(McKnight's LTCN profile)
August 5, 2003... Although she can't quite explain why, Maureen Kogelman has sought a career in nursing ever since she was a little girl. "Maybe it's just part of my personality," she said. "I'm a very nurturing person." Kogelman said her philosophy of...

Employee surveys not bad--just moot: save the paper and headaches by focusing on what makes them stay--or leave.(Parting Shots)
August 5, 2003... I recently received a survey from my employer. who wanted to know how I feel about my job, the workplace and how to make things better. The short answers: I'm fine, the company is better than most and I'd like a less miserly raise next...

Average cost of nursing care jumps.
August 22, 2003... The annual cost of nursing home care for an individual is $57,700, according to a study commissioned by long-term care insurance vendor GE Financial. The figure marks a 7% increase from the firm's initial survey 17 months earlier in December...

Medicare chief Thomas Scully.(Late Breaking News)
August 22, 2003... * Medicare Chief Thomas Scully came under fire after General Accounting Office investigators revealed in an Aug. 5 report that Scully tried to impede a University of Wisconsin researcher's work after the researcher questioned parts of the...

The drive for malpractice.(Late Breaking News)
August 22, 2003... * The drive for malpractice reform in Florida slowed this month, Gov. Jeb Bush (R) backed off his threat to force state lawmakers into special session in August, saying that the House and Senate were still too far apart on capping jury awards...

Analysts for Fitch Ratings.(Late Breaking News)
August 22, 2003... * Analysts for Fitch Ratings forecast numerous downgrades and zero upgrades for continuing care retirement communities through 2004. Analysts added, however, that the long term outlook for the sector was "neutral to positive."

The 23-year-old woman who is accused of starting the fire that killed 16 fellow residents of a Connecticut nursing home earlier this year, was ruled incompetent.(Late Breaking News)
August 22, 2003... * The 23-year-old woman who is accused of starting the fire that killed 16 fellow residents of a Connecticut nursing home earlier this year, was ruled incompetent to stand trial on murder charges.

The Institute of Medicine.(Late Breaking News)
August 22, 2003... * The Institute of Medicine urged a "sweeping overhaul of vaccine policy" that would require that all public and private insurance plans include vaccine benefits.

The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked by long-term care provider Advocat Inc. to reduce an Arkansas-record $21 million punitive damages award.(Late Breaking News)
August 22, 2003... * The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked by long-term care provider Advocat Inc. to reduce an Arkansas record $21 million punitive damages award. The amount previously was lowered from $63 million by a state appeals court.

Databank.... more oversight wanted.
August 22, 2003... DATABANK... MORE OVERSIGHT WANTED Americans want regulators to get tougher on nursing homes, according to a recent poll. Not enough government regulation 62% About the right amount of regulation 20% Didn't...

CMS pumps $850 million into funding.
August 22, 2003... Federal officials formally announced their intentions to increase prospective payment system pay rates significantly starting in October. Bigger than first expected, the boosts will increase payments to all providers by about $850 million,...

Hard data.(News)
August 22, 2003... 3.5 Rate of price increase of the 50 drugs most commonly prescribed to senior citizens in comparison to general inflation from 2002 to 2003, according to a report released by Families USA. 28 Percentage increase of nursing home complaints...

IT legislation offers hope for communication woes.(Reimbursement)
August 22, 2003... AT A GLANCE * Bill wants electronic linking of providers * National health officer proposed * LTC settings seen as among the most needy Long-term care facilities, like other healthcare providers, have long been struggling with...

Plans for Medicare reform lurch forward.(Reimbursement)
August 22, 2003... Medicare conferees from the Senate and House said they had reached a tentative agreement on a discount card for prescription drugs under the Medicare program. Staff for the 17 lawmakers on the conferee panel began meeting in mid-July to...

Healthcare providers could anonymously report medical errors by themselves or others voluntarily to patient safety organizations established by a bill (S. 720) that was unanimously passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee on July 23.(Legislative update)
August 22, 2003... Healthcare providers could anonymously report medical errors by themselves or others voluntarily to patient safety organizations established by a bill (S. 720) that was unanimously passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions...

Final rules for prospective.(Regulatory update)
August 22, 2003... Final rules for prospective payment rates for fiscal year 2004 for skilled nursing facilities, the hospital inpatient system for operating and capital costs, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities were issued by the Centers for Medicare and...

The Centers for Medicare.(Regulatory update)
August 22, 2003... The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released on July 23 new guidance for complying with HIPAA transaction and code sets. The rules take effect in mid October. CMS noted that it will else a complaint driven process to enforce the...

Needle fines, hand washing, pharmacist value.(Nursing News)
August 22, 2003... A nursing home whose managers told workers to use banned needles was fined $102,000 recently by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Even after noting in internal safety meetings that certain needles broke OSHA...

Accredited facilities face hand-washing mandate.(Nursing News)
August 22, 2003... Beginning in January, all facilities accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations will have to prove they comply with hand-washing practices set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of a...

ASCP: pharmacists key to saving more lives.(Pharmacy News)
August 22, 2003... A Medicare drug benefit would save the lives of up to 112,000 seniors each year, a new study has found. That's largely because the law would lead to more pharmacists helping seniors avoid drug mishaps. The American Society of Consultant...

Report: residents paying insurance's obligation.(Pharmacy News)
August 22, 2003... Many nursing home residents in Iowa are paying for drugs that their insurance should be furnishing, according to an Associated Press report. The problem is a conflict between facilities' find insurance rules. Some nursing homes are...

Deal aims to lower ergonomics injuries.(Nursing News)
August 22, 2003... An agreement between the government find a large medical vendor has been struck to help develop and identify the best ways to reduce ergonomics injuries in the workplace. The three-year partnership teams the Occupational Safety and Health...

Survey system under fire: federal investigators lay plans, claiming nursing home quality hasn't improved enough--and regulators aren't being tough enough.
August 22, 2003... AT A GLANCE * Providers' serious deficiencies drop 30% * Surveyors called disconnected, incomplete * GAO wants more state, federal cooperation Nursing home operators could hardly be optimistic after a recent Congressional...

A record number of corporations.
August 22, 2003... A record number of corporations restated their financial statements due to accounting errors in 2002, according to a study by Huron Consulting Croup. In all, 330 companies changed their prior year's financial statements. That's up 22% percent...

Higher education levels.
August 22, 2003... Higher education levels and improved socioeconomic conditions have led to a decrease in disability rates among baby boomers, meaning that that populous generation likely will not place over whelming demand on the country's long term care system...

Currently, state Medicaid programs.(Worth Watching)
August 22, 2003... Currently, state Medicaid programs pick up the adult day care costs for low income residents. But legislation included in the Medicare reform package would get Medicare involved. Specifically, a pilot program in the measure would allow...

The nation's patchwork system for delivering mental healthcare services should be replaced by a more comprehensive program, a presidential commission noted.(Worth Watching)
August 22, 2003... The nation's patchwork system for delivering mental healthcare services should be replaced by a more comprehensive program, a presidential commission noted. An increasing number of nursing home residents require such services. States need...