McKnight's Long-Term Care News articles from December 2006

McKnight's Long-Term Care News archives from December 2006

Study details system flaws.
December 1, 2006... Policy makers should look to six areas to reform the long-term care system, according to a new report from the Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research at Brown University. The areas are: prioritizing the financing of long-term care;...

Flu-shot mandates may sting providers.(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Federal regulators, state inspectors and national accreditors are increasing pressure on providers to vaccinate more residents and workers against influenza. The stricter requirements came just ahead of the release of sobering flu-related...

CMS issues sprinkler call.(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Industry officials welcomed a proposal requiring sprinkler systems in every nursing home. Currently, about 3,500 older facilities still don't have them. A graduated phase-in period makes the requirement fair, said Bruce Yarwood, president of...

Glucose rule sours many.(NEWS)
December 1, 2006... A new federal rule mandating more frequent physician approvals for blood glucose testing leaves many with a bitter taste. The provision "puts paperwork ahead of quality patient care," said Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American...

Got nitrate? Bones benefit.(NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Partially reversing the acidity of the diet could help increase bone mass in older women, a new study finds. Post-menopausal women with thinning bones who took potassium nitrate experienced an increase in bone mineral density at the spine...

Democratic Congress to redefine priorities.(NEWS)
December 1, 2006... Fresh off election day victories, many Congressional Democrats pledged to work closely with President Bush on a legislative agenda. But they quickly began demanding new directions on issues such as the minimum wage, Medicare drug coverage and...

Minnix calls for more self policing.(NEWS)(Larry Minnix of American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Providers need to more aggressively weed out the minority of peers who consistently perform poorly, the leader of the nation's second-largest nursing home association said recently. "The bad apples have got to get out," said Larry Minnix,...

Rates for private and semi-private rooms in nursing homes rose by 6% this year on average.(At deadline)
December 1, 2006... Rates for private and semi-private rooms in nursing homes rose by 6% this year on average, according to a national study commissioned by the New York Life Long-Term Care Division. The typical cost for a private room with one occupant climbed to...

Five governors joined a bipartisan majority of Senate and House lawmakers opposed to provider tax cuts.(At deadline)
December 1, 2006... Five governors joined a bipartisan majority of Senate and House lawmakers opposed to provider tax cuts. A pending White House proposal would reduce by 50% the ability of states to use these levies to generate additional federal Medicaid...

Long-term care services for dual-eligibles can be improved by streamlining federal oversight.(At deadline)
December 1, 2006... Long-term care services for dual-eligibles can be improved by streamlining federal oversight, changing regulations and giving states more flexibility, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.

60 seconds with ... Richard K. Matros.(NEWS)(Interview)
December 1, 2006... Q: How do you characterize Sun's rise from bankruptcy proceedings less than five years ago? A: I don't think we could have anticipated a few years ago we'd be where we are today. Look, we were left for dead, and everybody knows it. Q:...

NADONA founder out; board names Eliopoulos new chief.(NEWS)(National Association of Directors of Nursing/Long Term Care removes Joan Warden-Saunders and appoints Charlotte Eliopoulos)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Joan Warden-Saunders has been removed as executive director of the National Association of Directors of Nursing/Long Term Care (NADONA) after a vote by elected board members. The NADONA board also decided to release Warden-Saunders' son...

Report: geriatricians fade as need grows.(NEWS)
December 1, 2006... As if the nursing shortage isn't bad enough for the long-term care field, the number of geriatricians also is waning, a new report finds. Last year there was only one geriatrician for every 5,000 U.S. residents older than age 65, according...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has reduced proposed cuts in reimbursement rates for power wheelchairs and scooters.(Regulatory Update)
December 1, 2006... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has reduced proposed cuts in reimbursement rates for power wheelchairs and scooters. The new rates took effect on Nov. 15.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance to help prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections.(Regulatory Update)
December 1, 2006... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance to help prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections. The guidance calls for adequately funding prevention programs, and tracking infection rates.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) may present legislation next month.(Bill Watch)
December 1, 2006... Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) may present legislation next month that will further define the community benefit standard for tax-exempt hospitals.

Democrats are expected to introduce legislation next year that will allow the administration to negotiate Medicare Part D drug prices directly with companies.(Bill Watch)
December 1, 2006... Democrats are expected to introduce legislation next year that will allow the administration to negotiate Medicare Part D drug prices directly with companies. They also could try to pass legislation that would eliminate the "doughnut hole" in...

Ask the care expert.(NEWS: Resident Care)
December 1, 2006... I'd like more say in our purchasing processes for resident care items. How do you recommend I handle this with the bosses? If you are accountable for the budget, you should do the purchasing. Tell the powers that be you will do the research...

Study: stroke victims gain strength from new therapy.(NEWS: Resident Care)
December 1, 2006... A unique two-week rehabilitation regimen appears to help stroke survivors who have lost function in one arm, according to details of a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers at Emory University tested the...

A disorder called "periodic leg movement during sleep," which is different from "restless legs syndrome," may be more common in older women and can lead to long-term health problems because it disrupts sleep, researchers say.(Caregiving Update)
December 1, 2006... A disorder called "periodic leg movement during sleep," which is different from "restless legs syndrome," may be more common in older women and can lead to long-term health problems because it disrupts sleep, researchers say. As many as...

States' Medicaid programs have established 300 sets of qualification requirements for personal care attendants, a new report by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General says.(Caregiving Update)
December 1, 2006... States' Medicaid programs have established 300 sets of qualification requirements for personal care attendants, a new report by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General says. While some requirements (such as...

Substantial racial disparities in health outcomes still persist for Medicare beneficiaries, say researchers at Harvard and Brown universities.(Caregiving Update)
December 1, 2006... Substantial racial disparities in health outcomes still persist for Medicare beneficiaries, say researchers at Harvard and Brown universities. Even within the same Medicare health plan, researchers found that clinical performance was...

Ask the treatment expert.(NEWS: Wound Care)
December 1, 2006... Are maggots still used for wound care, and if so, where do you purchase them? Over the past few years, the use of maggots (fly larvae) for wound care has been making a big comeback. The use of maggots, commonly referred to as MDT (Maggot...

Harvard newsletter looks at actions to prevent bedsores.(NEWS: Wound Care)
December 1, 2006... It turns out that tossing and turning in bed actually may be good for us. The movement redistributes the pressure between our bodies and the mattress. But when illness or injury prevents movement, pressure builds up, causing pressure sores....

Kinetic Concepts Inc. said the Food and Drug Administration has cleared expanded labeling for its vacuum-assisted wound closure technology.(Treatment Update)
December 1, 2006... Kinetic Concepts Inc. said the Food and Drug Administration has cleared expanded labeling for its vacuum-assisted wound closure technology. Specifically, the firm has received approval to market and label the unique mechanisms of action of the...

Pegasus Biologics, Inc. announced the firm has received FDA clearance for its biomatrix wound dressing.(Treatment Update)
December 1, 2006... Pegasus Biologics, Inc. announced the firm has received FDA clearance for its biomatrix wound dressing. The clearance allows the firm to market its product for the management of a variety of wounds, including pressure ulcers.

Centocor Inc. announced the firm has received FDA clearance for Remicade (infliximab).(Treatment Update)
December 1, 2006... Centocor Inc. announced the firm has received FDA clearance for Remicade (infliximab). The product is intended for maintaining clinical remission and mucosal healing in patients with active ulcerative colitis, who have had an inadequate...

Ask the nursing expert.(NEWS: Nursing)
December 1, 2006... How do you lead those who don't want to be led? It is not so challenging to lead those who want to be led, but rather those who seem tough and resistant. There are those in every group who meet these criteria. You might try calling...

As nurses near retirement, recruitment pressures rise.(NEWS: Nursing)
December 1, 2006... One in four nurse leaders will retire by 2010 and the trend will gain momentum after that, according to the Bernard Hodes Group. Further, the consulting firm's survey of 980 nurse leaders found that three-fourths expect to retire by 2020. ...

Flu shots do little to prevent lung infections among elderly people in ill health, according to a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.(Medication Update)
December 1, 2006... Flu shots do little to prevent lung infections among elderly people in ill health, according to a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Still, researchers recommend the vaccine because of evidence it reduces mortality rates in this...

A well-known antidepressant could cure osteoporosis, a new study suggests.(Medication Update)
December 1, 2006... A well-known antidepressant could cure osteoporosis, a new study suggests. Prozac spurred the formation of new bone among adult mice that were treated with the drug for six weeks. It also reversed overall bone loss triggered by inflammation,...

A popular diabetes drug may carry more risks than benefits.(Medication Update)
December 1, 2006... A popular diabetes drug may carry more risks than benefits. It is not clear whether pioglitazone, which is marketed as Actos, has a positive effect on mortality, morbidity, adverse effects and health-related quality of life, a study in The...

Pharmacists and doctors may prescribe drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration without realizing it, at least one senator fears.(Medication Update)
December 1, 2006... Pharmacists and doctors may prescribe drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration without realizing it, at least one senator fears. Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) has formally asked FDA Commissioner Andrew von...

Extendicare Inc. delayed.(Business Briefs)
December 1, 2006... Extendicare Inc. delayed its Nov. 1 plan to spin off Assisted Living Concepts Inc. and convert the remainder of the company into a real estate investment trust. The decision followed a government announcement Oct. 31 of the Tax Fairness Plan...

Kindred Healthcare Inc.'s third quarter earnings plummeted.(Business Briefs)(Financial report)
December 1, 2006... Kindred Healthcare Inc.'s third quarter earnings plummeted, in part because of increased rents by its landlord, Ventas Inc. Profits for the quarter fell about 82% to about $3 million. That compares to $16 million in earnings for the same period...

Sun Healthcare Group Inc. fell into the red.(Business Briefs)(Financial report)
December 1, 2006... Sun Healthcare Group Inc. fell into the red in the third quarter with a loss of $522,000. That compares to profits of $7 million last year. Revenues for the quarter rose 36% to $273 million. It said earnings for the quarter were in line with...

Metro monitor.(NEWS: Companies)
December 1, 2006... The top and bottom U.S. markets, as ranked by continuing care retirement community (CCRC) penetration rate. This measures the number of CCRC units per households with someone 75 or older in them. Metro Monitor The top and bottom U.S....

Sun to buy Harborside for $350 million, assume debt.(NEWS: Companies)
December 1, 2006... Sun Healthcare Group, the sixth-largest nursing home chain in the country, has won the bidding contest for Harborside Healthcare Corp., the 13th-largest chain. Sun will pay $350 million in cash, and will refinance or assume about $275...

Manor Care profits slip.(NEWS: Companies)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The nation's largest nursing home chain reported a 9% increase in revenues, but a 7 % decrease in profits during the third quarter. Manor Care Inc. earned $46 million in the quarter on revenues of $915 million. That compares to profits of...

Most providers have complied to some extent with most of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.(IT Update)
December 1, 2006... Most providers have complied to some extent with most of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. But Security Rule compliance remains generally low, according to a recent survey. Though the deadline for...

The nation's healthcare system does not give consumers enough incentive to pursue information about healthcare costs or quality.(IT Update)
December 1, 2006... The nation's healthcare system does not give consumers enough incentive to pursue information about healthcare costs or quality, according to a Department of Health and Human Services official. Speaking at a Heritage Foundation event, Deputy...

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology has become the first to be designated a Recognized Certification Body.(IT Update)
December 1, 2006... Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology has become the first to be designated a Recognized Certification Body. As such, the commission will...

The National Governors Association has announced the creation of the State Alliance for e-Health.(IT Update)
December 1, 2006... The National Governors Association has announced the creation of the State Alliance for e-Health. The initiative aims to use health information technology more effectively. A leading priority will be developing consensus-based best practices...

Money, staff hurdles slow IT adoption within healthcare.(NEWS: Technology)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... High implementation costs, possible staff disruptions and related challenges are preventing many providers from adopting information technology systems, new study results assert. Among the most "formidable barriers" are the initial high...

"I couldn't live without ...".(NEWS: Technology)
December 1, 2006... "I'm getting sharp today," more than one resident announces to Cristy Alagao, RN-BC, director of health services at Villa Gardens, Pasadena, CA. The residents say it while using an enjoyable, interactive touchscreen program that challenges...

How to do it ... bathing areas.(Business & Marketing)
December 1, 2006... When it comes to coordinating and arranging resident living spaces, there may be no bigger challenge for providers and designers than bathing and bath areas. Preserving independence while also keeping spaces fully functional are two key...

Tragedies waiting to happen.(THE BIG PICTURE)
December 1, 2006... Few businesses are as heavily regulated as nursing homes. And many of the current roles waste the paper they require. That noted, a universal sprinkler mandate is long overdue. It is simply unfathomable that in 2006 we would have one...

LTC commission seeking direction, momentum.(Editor's DESK)
December 1, 2006... I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a pretty interesting 2007 from the National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care. To put it bluntly, it can't be anything but more interesting than it has been thus far. The...

Corrections.(Opinion)(Correction notice)
December 1, 2006... * November's wandering story beginning on page 48 contained an incomplete quote attributed to Joe Whitt, a spokesman for HomeFree Systems Inc. It should have been: "Wandering is a result of a disease." His title was also misidentified. * A...

Reader poll: what clinical advice would you give a long-term care newcomer?(Opinion)
December 1, 2006... "View your job duties as if you were hiring someone to take care of you." --Social Services Specialist, Sherry Murray, Douglas County Nursing Home Omaha, NE "Students who are considering long-term care as a career choice must have...

Don't rush to judge in the Manganos' 'Katrina' case.(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... It was disappointing to me to see anything written about the Manganos in McKnight's (ML TCN, October 2006, p. 32),"A year after Katrina, homicide charges"). This was a horrible tragedy, but there were a lot of horrible tragedies during that...

Quality awards shine spotlight on stars.(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Long-term care providers work hard every day to care for our schoolteachers, grandparents, mayors, friends and loved ones. These professionals strive to improve quality care daily. One program which promotes continuous quality improvement is...

Code warriors: a new pilot project hopes to crack the language code of long-term care pharmacy. But the challenge is daunting.(Information technology)
December 1, 2006... We all know what it's like to be misunderstood. You think you are expressing yourself clearly only to find that the other person just doesn't get it. Welcome to the world of electronic prescribing. As long-term care scrambles to transfer...

Shots on goal: providers are under pressure from regulators and others to vaccinate residents--and themselves--against influenza.(Infection control)
December 1, 2006... Call it a nifty, triple word play. Stephanie Mayoryk knows how to get points across when pushing for more co-workers to get their flu shots. Her pointed needles make their point to fellow employees to earn--what else?--points at the...

Achieve Healthcare.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... Achieve Matrix Enterprise Reporting helps users monitor daily business operations and create specific reports that aid in critical decision making, such as month-end close, occupancy, accounts receivable balance trending, Minimum Data Set...

Carecentric, Inc.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... CareCentric's long-term care experts from UltraBridge take all your technology and back-office worries off your plate with a full complement of business process and information technology outsourcing services. FOR MORE INFO: (800)...

Momentum Healthware.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... Momentum Healthware's Clinical and EHR, Dietary Management, Financials and Billing, and Decision Support Systems enable an improved quality of care, reimbursement accuracy, simplified reporting documentation and substantial improvement in staff...

AccuNurse.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... AccuNurse[R] automatically converts your CNAs' voices into accurate text. That makes hands-free documentation at the point of care a reality) Only AccuNurse delivers many more voice-activated features--including Silent Paging[TM]--that improve...

Keane Care.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... Keane NetSolutions eCharting will make you smile. Try our browser-based eMAR and eTAR for paperless point-of-care medication and treatment charting. Improve the quality and quantity of documentation. FOR MORE INFO: (800) 426-2675 ...

HealthMEDX.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... HealthMEDX serves the extended care industry with software solutions for long-term care, home health care and rehab. We focus on helping organizations manage risk, maximize quality of care, improve efficiency and support business growth. ...

MDI Technologies, Inc.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... MDI's e-Charting software utilizes wireless technology to allow for point-of-care documentation, including customized, facility-specific charting, electronic MAR and resident data collection. FOR MORE INFO: (800) 552-9846 ...

Answers On Demand.(Information Management/Software)
December 1, 2006... Answers On Demand is a leader in software development for the LTC market. AOD's software comprises completely integrated financial, clinical and operational modules, as well as rehabilitation, home health and point of sales. FOR MORE INFO:...

(1) Skin-friendly Web site.(Recent Arrivals)
December 1, 2006... A new 3M Skin Health Web site is helping healthcare professionals choose among simple, skin-friendly solutions for treating basic to complex skin, wound and I.V. care conditions. The Web site makes the process of finding treatment options fast...

(2) Safe ride.(Recent Arrivals)
December 1, 2006... The wheelchair Safety Saddle by Sammons Preston Rolyan is designed for patients with small frames who are at high risk for falls. The saddle is best for those who require assistance getting in and out of their wheelchair. The comfortable design...

Skin Care & Incontinence.(Buyer's Guide)(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2006... Ameriderm Laboratories Ltd. (800) 455-7211 www.ameridem.com Derma Sciences (800) 445-7627 www.dermasciences.com GOJO Industries (800) 321-9647 www.gojo.com Humanicare International, Inc. (800)...

A day in the life: Deb Fournier, Administrator.(Careers)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... DEB FOURNIER takes commitment to a new level. The administrator of St. Marguerite d'Youville Pavilion in Lewiston, ME, Fournier is also the senior leadership team leader of Sisters of Charity, the governing body of her facility. Other roles...

Salary snapshot: housekeeping and laundry supervisor.(Careers)
December 1, 2006... Salary Snapshot: Housekeeping and Laundry Supervisor Median salaries (all facilities) REGION SALARY($) 1 38,176 2 34,553 3 34,276 4 32,261 5 28,548 6 27,799...

Investing in bonds: Angelo S. Rotella, AHCA Board of Governors chairman.(Profile)(Biography)
December 1, 2006... IT MAY SEEM ironic to some that the operator of two small facilities in the country's smallest state is the biggest officer in the nation's largest nursing home association. But not to those who know Angelo Rotella well. "He is passionate...