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

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

CMS posts new quality measures.
February 9, 2004... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services posted a refined and expanded set of 14 quality measures on its Nursing Home Compare Web site on Jan. 23. Eleven areas concerning chronic care and three for post-acute care are covered. Although...

The $328 billion spending bill.(Late Breaking News)
February 9, 2004... * The $328 billion spending bill for fiscal 2004 passed by the Senate on Jan. 22 allows the Labor Department to change laws that may make many nurses ineligible for over time pay.

Charles H. Roadman II.(Late Breaking News)
February 9, 2004... * Charles H. Roadman II announced Jan. 13 he would be stepping down as president and CEO of the American Health Care Association when his contract expires in October. "I believe (five years) is about the correct length of time for a senior...

A final rule in the Jan. 23.(Late Breaking News)
February 9, 2004... * A final rule in the Jan. 23 Federal Register says healthcare providers will be required to use a unique national provider identifier (NPI) for filing and processing all healthcare claims by May 23, 2007. Congress mandated the identifier in...

Forest Laboratories, the maker of Namenda, which last year became the first drug approved in the U.S.(Late Breaking News)
February 9, 2004... * Forest Laboratories, the maker of Namenda, which last year became the first drug approved in the U.S. for moderate to severe cases of Alzheimer's disease, said it would seek approval for expanded usage from the U.S. Food and Drug...

Databank.... Over-dose?
February 9, 2004... A top executive at GlaxoSmithKline recently said that fewer than half of the patients prescribed some of the most expensive drugs actually derive any benefit from them. Estimated efficacy rates in key areas: Oncology 25%...

Americans nearing end of life.(Late Breaking News)
February 9, 2004... * Americans nearing end of life are receiving inadequate care--including inadequate pain medicine, emotional support and respect--especially if their final days are spent in nursing homes and hospitals, according to a study featured in the...

No payment hike needed, MedPAC says.
February 9, 2004... Nursing homes should not get an inflationary boost in fiscal year 2005 because the sector had healthy Medicare margins during fiscal 2004, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission noted in its latest semi-annual report. Medicare margins...

Hard data.(News)
February 9, 2004... 6 On average, American men die six years younger than women. In 1920, the difference was just one year, according to the Office of Men's Health Resource Center. 6.2 Average number of deficiencies per nursing home, according to a report...

Nursing homes tending to veterans can breathe easy.(Legislation)
February 9, 2004... The paperwork headache for 2,000 community nursing homes that contract locally with the Department of Veterans Affairs will be eased by a surprising clause passed in the millenium veterans' bill. Providers, the government and veterans' families...

State of Union: more of same, or nothing?(Policy)
February 9, 2004... President Bush's fourth State of the Union address late last month didn't do much to excite long-term care advocates, or many healthcare players in general. Observers and analysts largely agreed that the speech, which they viewed as a campaign...

The Occupational Safety and Health.(Regulatory update)
February 9, 2004... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it would delay until July 1 enforcing the general industry respiratory standard, which requires healthcare providers to protect workers from potential exposure to tuberculosis. The...

The public share of payments for skilled nursing care in the United States rose in 2002, while the overall spending rate on nursing homes slowed from the year earlier.(Regulatory update)
February 9, 2004... The public share of payments for skilled nursing care in the United States rose in 2002, while the overall spending rate on nursing homes slowed from the year earlier. Despite a deceleration of 0.8%, public spending accounted for 64% of nursing...

Three lawmakers have called on the General Accounting Office to review "best practices" in assisted living taking place across the nation.(Regulatory update)
February 9, 2004... Three lawmakers have called on the General Accounting Office to review "best practices" in assisted living taking place across the nation. The three areas where the GAO will examine best practices are: licensing assistance that states offer to...

Linking quality, payments: many see tying LTC reimbursement rates to quality of care as an eventuality, but there is no consensus on how it should be done.(Cover Story)
February 9, 2004... Long-term care players will be showing a little more interest than usual in inpatient hospital happenings this year. Hospitals have embarked on a project that will pay better-performing facilities more than laggards. For many in the...

Incontinence training programs getting more focus.(Patient Care)
February 9, 2004... Leading incontinence researcher Diane Newman, a nurse practitioner in the division of urology at the University of Pennsylvania, is frustrated at the dearth of knowledge in nursing homes on incontinence care. "I'm astounded how the...

Drug arrests, rights to sue, ex-con workers.(State News)
February 9, 2004... SOUTHEAST/FLORIDA Three men accused of cheating the state's Medicaid program of more than $1.5 million over three years have been arrested for allegedly reselling expired nursing home drugs. The defendants are the owner, manager and pharmacist...

Tennessee: patient's right to sue nursing home restored.(News)
February 9, 2004... In a case that may have a sweeping effect on pre-admission agreements regarding nursing home residents, the Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled a husband cannot waive his ailing wife's right to pursue a jury trial when admitting her to a...

Florida: reforms lessen lawsuits filed against nursing homes.(News)
February 9, 2004... Broad nursing home reforms passed three years ago in Florida have cut the number of lawsuits filed against nursing homes, according to a study undertaken by a law firm that is known for suing long-term care facilities. The number of...

Tennessee: new law to clamp down on troubled SNFs.(News)
February 9, 2004... A new state law brings the threat of immediate probation for nursing homes that acquire two or more immediate jeopardy deficiencies during a six-month period. The program has not been put in action yet, but more nursing facilities could have to...

Utah: association gives qualified OK to bed tax proposal.(Southwest)
February 9, 2004... Nursing homes in Idaho say they support a proposal by Gov. Olene Walker to bring back a bed tax--but only if all the matching federal funding it generates is dedicated to nursing homes. For every dollar the state spends on Medicaid, the...

California: authorities use hidden camera to bust workers.(West)
February 9, 2004... The California state attorney general recently resorted to a hidden camera in a nursing home for the first time to enable felony prosecution of 12 facility employees accused of elder abuse, authorities said. The charges involve "subtle acts...

Wisconsin: officials push for record fine against nursing home.(Midwest)
February 9, 2004... Wisconsin state officials have recommended a $1.5 million fine against Capeside Cove Good Samaritan Center in Siren for allegedly allowing resident abuse. It would be the largest penalty ever imposed against a Wisconsin nursing home. The...

Missouri: bill calls for recycling of nursing facility drugs.(Midwest)
February 9, 2004... The state legislature will consider whether pharmaceuticals remaining after a nursing home resident's death should be allowed to be re-used. A bill introduced by Rep. Bob Johnson says the leftovers should be saved and sold cheaply to low-income...

Pennsylvania: court says ex-convicts may work in LTC.(Northeast)
February 9, 2004... A Pennsylvania law prohibiting convicted criminals from working in long-term care facilities is unconstitutional, the state's Supreme Court ruled. The Older Adults Protective Services Act is unconstitutional, the court said in a 6-1 majority,...

Pennsylvania: facility, owner convicted of grand larceny.(Northeast)
February 9, 2004... A Pennsylvania nursing home that mostly serves New York residents was convicted on four counts of grand larceny for billing Medicaid programs for 10 years for services not rendered, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced Jan. 22....

Jury is still out on link between caps and premium costs.(News)
February 9, 2004... Medical malpractice insurance premiums are more than 17% lower in states that have capped court awards. But the absence of such tort reform measures in other states does not fully explain recent jumps in what physicians pay to cover the cost of...

Risky nurses, blood draws, music therapy.(Nursing News)
February 9, 2004... New Jersey Democratic Sens. Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg called for congressional hearings to create a national database tracking nurses and red-flagging those accused of criminal conduct, in the wake of a former nursing home and hospital...

Medicare toughens on satellite blood draws.(News)
February 9, 2004... A new interpretation of Medicare rules makes it harder for some residents of rural nursing homes to have blood drawn. Medicare no longer considers laboratory services at an attached nursing home as part of a critical access hospital. The North...

Researchers find that music eases chronic pain.(News)
February 9, 2004... Music eases chronic osteoarthritis pain in the elderly, according to a study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Dr. Ruth McCaffrey and Dr. Edward Freeman studied 66 patients with chronic pain. Those who listened to music for 20 minutes daily...

Study: rotigotine skin patch helps Parkinson's.(News)
February 9, 2004... A skin patch containing the drug rotigotine safely improves movement problems that occur in early-stage Parkinson's disease, a study in the Archives of Neurology found. The patch, which has similar results to commonly used pills Mirapex...

Experts: blood thinners for atrial fibrillation.(News)
February 9, 2004... Long-term care residents with atrial fibrillation and no absolute contraindications to oral anticoagulation are generally under treated and would benefit from anticoagulation, according to experts writing in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of...

New treatment found for foot infections.(Pharmacy News)
February 9, 2004... A study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has found that the antibiotic linezolid has tested effectively for treating diabetic foot infections. Researchers said that linezolid, which was approved in 2000 by the U.S. Food and Drug...

State cuts pharmacists' Medicaid payments.(News)
February 9, 2004... New Hampshire instituted a "temporary" Medicaid reimbursement cut to pharmacists in January, in retaliation for what the state saw as wrongful pricing by the pharmacists. The cut will be by about 4% for six months, or until a new rate can be...

Sun healthcare group said it would sell its rehabilitation businesses to Beverly Enterprises' subsidiary Aegis Therapies for $34 million.(M&A)
February 9, 2004... Sun Healthcare Group said it would sell its rehabilitation businesses to Beverly Enterprises' subsidiary Aegis Therapies for $34 million. The deal was expected to close at the end of January. As part of ongoing restructuring efforts since...

CNL retirement properties went on a buying binge, acquiring senior living facilities in a handful of deals to grow to 139 properties in 29 states.(M&A)
February 9, 2004... * CNL Retirement Properties went on a buying binge, acquiring senior living facilities in a handful of deals lo grow to 139 properties in 29 states. A real estate investment trust, CNL announced Jan. 13 it would buy Horizon Bay Senior...

Goodwill care, which once operated 10 senior care facilities in Washington State.(Bankruptcy)
February 9, 2004... * Goodwill Care, which once operated 10 senior care facilities in Washington State, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in late December after being hit with a $6 million payout in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Healthcare spending in 2002.(Worth Watching)
February 9, 2004... * Healthcare spending in 2002 reached a record $1.6 trillion, or an average $5,440 per person, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report. Healthcare spending rose 9.3% from 2001. Early indications, however, show that spending slowed...

Women outnumbered men among people applying to U.S. medical schools for the current academic school year.(Worth Watching)
February 9, 2004... * Women outnumbered men among people applying to U.S. medical schools for the current academic school year--a milestone in the slow but steady increase in the number of aspiring female doctors.

'Hi-lo' beds gaining popularity.(Equipment)
February 9, 2004... Long-term care providers in the market for new resident beds now have access to cutting-edge options that many may have, ironically, only dreamed of in the past. The latest bed technology aims to increase comfort and safety for residents,...

Merger and acquisition wave may hit this year.(Executive Decisions)
February 9, 2004... Q Do you see the year ahead as being bullish or bearish for nursing homes? A I think 2004 win be neutral for nursing homes. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services is probably not going to increase reimbursements, given the 2003...

A program that allows elderly and disabled Medicaid beneficiaries to direct their own support services, thus lessening the need for nursing home care, is expanding.(Enterprise)
February 9, 2004... * A program that allows elderly and disabled Medicaid beneficiaries to direct their own support services, thus lessening the need for nursing home care, is expanding. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced a new $ 7 million spending...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has partnered with the National PACE Association in a contract to assist states in expanding the Programs of All-inclusive Care for Elderly.(Enterprise)
February 9, 2004... * The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has partnered with the National PACE Association in a contract to assist states in expanding the Programs of All-inclusive Care for Elderly. PACE is a program that delivers long-term care at the...

Handheld technology improving bedside care.(Managing Technology)
February 9, 2004... Healthcare professionals are increasingly embracing handheld devices as a way to improve resident care, ensure regulatory compliance, and work more efficiently while reducing costs. Here is a round-up of some of the companies and their...

Furnishing budgets challenged to find 'home-like' feel.(Design)
February 9, 2004... At first, Linda Downing cringed at the thought of it. A veteran of the long term care business, she had bought enough furniture in the past to know that the process could be headache after headache. But a funny thing happened on the way to...

More observation cameras a viable option.(Legal Matters)
February 9, 2004... Q I've come to agree to put more surveillance cameras in our facility, and want to make sure I'm on the right side of the law. Any advice? A Employers who believe that illegal activities (such as theft, drug sales/use, or tampering with...

GAO to study ways around therapy caps.(Regulations/Compliance)
February 9, 2004... Q Two big years for a therapy caps moratorium this time. But what happens in the meantime, and how many times can this cycle repeat itself? A Therapy providers were thrilled that the passage of the Medicare bill included a two-year...

Recertification rule a recurring query.(Payment Answers)
February 9, 2004... Q Are certifications/recertification still necessary for a Medicare A stay? Who is allowed to sign them? A It's surprising that I still get questions regarding certs and recerts. There have been several clarifications in the rule since...

Religious holidays stance draws fire.(Staffing Concerns)
February 9, 2004... Q I have received a number of calls concerning the column I wrote for the November issue, specifically my statement, "You are under no legal obligation to accommodate religious holidays." A Let me restate this. There is no law that I or the...

Recipe for success: know your food costs.(P & L Journal)
February 9, 2004... Benchmarking dietary costs, typically one of the two largest cost center for a senior living provider, is no easy challenge. Not surprisingly, spending on a per-meal basis can vary widely. Customers would not expect the same food of service...

Americans nearing end of life are receiving inadequate care, especially it their final days are spent in nursing homes and hospitals.(Quality Corner)
February 9, 2004... Americans nearing end of life are receiving inadequate care, especially ii their final days are spent in nursing homes and hospitals, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found. Researchers from Brown University...

Wanderguard alert & search.(New Products)
February 9, 2004... * Backs up the facility's door alarm system * Alerts staff if a person is missing * Tracks missing residents and helps get them safely back * Produced by Senior Technologies Circle 161 on reader service card [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Concord floor coating.(New Products)
February 9, 2004... * Polyurethane high-gloss enamel provides a hard seal and glossy finish * Protects floors against chemicals, industrial traffic and abrasions * Resists mild acid, alkali fumes, oil and grease * Made by Garon Products Circle 162 on reader...

Lighten up too.(New Products)
February 9, 2004... * Bright light therapy treats seasonal affect disorder * Covered under Medicare's new reimbursement guidelines * Covers a therapeutic lightbox with a minimum of 10,000 LUX output * Produced by ETA Systems Circle 163 on reader service card...

Adept[R] critical task wipers.(New Products)
February 9, 2004... * Soft, economical wipers ideal for a variety of tasks * Manufactured from virgin fiber substrates with no binders, starch or silicone additives * Dispense by the single sheet from coated boxes with anti static film windows * Made by the...

Med Jr. cart.(New Products)
February 9, 2004... * Cart helps providers stay organized and save space * Has push handle with an ABS plastic top * Also comes in a tall version with a gate lock * Produced by Waterloo Healthcare Circle 165 on reader service card ...

Dyn-Ergo scoot chair.(New Products)
February 9, 2004... * Reduces risk of falls for wheelchair-bound residents who propel with feet * Full adjustments for seat height and depth, armrest height and back angle * Adjustable tilt creates wedge to reduce slumps, slides and falls * Produced by Optima...

Direct supply's exclusive Panacea[R].(Product Focus)
February 9, 2004... ComfortMax pressure-relieving mattress was designed by clinicians and experts in the field to provide residents with exceptional pressure relief--even for those with single-site Stage III wounds. Lura-Flex[TM] foam top layer offers the comfort...

Tempur-Pedic Inc. Medical Division.(Product Focus)
February 9, 2004... Whether you choose TUSMaP[TM], our JCAHOO certified skin and wound program, or product only solutions its Tempur-Pedic Medical is the ONLY supplier offering indemnity for outcomes associated with using their products. Tempur-Pedic (800)...

Space tables.(Product Focus)
February 9, 2004... 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...

Duraframe by Kwalu.(Product Focus)
February 9, 2004... Duraframe by Kwalu manufactures a wide range of affordable seating tailored for long term care. Our stylish products are scuff resistant, waterproof and fire-retardant, and backed by our 10 year warranty on frame and finish. Try our new...

Joerns Avalon Collection.(Product Focus)
February 9, 2004... The Joerns[R] Avalon Collection was designed especially for Alzheimer's and dementia residents. Wide, bullnose edges help reduce resident injuries from accidental bumps, while the contrasting color assists residents in identifying edge...

Hertz Supply Co. Inc.(Product Focus)
February 9, 2004... Voelker, "The Healthcare Bed in Disguise," is again bringing the latest developments in bed technology to savvy healthcare customers. In addition to unique features such as disappearing side rails, disappearing casters, fine wood finishes, and...

Worth repeating.(People & Opinions)
February 9, 2004... "I believe this Is about the correct length of time for a senior executive to serve and to lead, and I have elected to conclude my tenure." Dr. Charles Roadman II, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association, who announced he...

Quality based on what works.(Q&A)
February 9, 2004... Pennsylvania initiated a first-of-a-kind program to gauge nursing home quality practices in the state, and the results were striking. Outcomes in pain management, depression management, and activities of daily Living in eating and drinking all...

Now a word from the sponsor.(Commentary)
February 9, 2004... There's a quip around the office that usually gets a good, wry grin, no matter how often it's repeated. And it's repeated a lot. Lately in long-term care, there's been an inordinate amount of talk about "quality matters." At the sound of...

Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life, North Wales, PA.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... MILTON D. FREEDMAN has been named vice president for resident care of the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life, North Wales, PA. A licensed nursing home administrator and registered nurse, Freedman previously was vice president of...

Life Care Centers of American.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... Life Care Centers of American has named TONY OGLESBY president of Life Care @ Home, a home healthcare affiliate of Life Care Centers of America, Cleveland, TN. He formerly was president and CEO of Gulf South Medical Supply.

St. Barnabas Health System, Gibsonia, PA.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... HUGH TEITELBAUM has been promoted to vice president of St. Barnabas Health System, Gibsonia, PA. Previously assistant vice president, Teitelbaum oversees legal activities for St. Barnabas' affiliated corporations, assists with government...

Covenant Village of Florida.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... Covenant Village of Florida, a continuing care retirement community in Plantation, FL, named CAROLE S. ROSENBERG campus director of nursing. Her staff of 60 will oversee 24-hour care to 60 skilled nursing residents, as well as on-call care for...

Beverly Enterprises.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... LARRY DEANS joined Beverly Enterprises, Fort Smith, AR, as senior vice president of human resources. Previously, he was chief human resources officer at Jones Lang LaSalle, Chicago, a real estate and investment management firm.

In Vermont, Kelly Carleton is the new administrator at Morrisville Center.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... In Vermont, KELLY CARLETON is the new administrator at Morrisville Center. She also has worked with Genesis Health Ventures facilities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. ANGELA TYMANN is the director of nursing at Starr Farm. Also, CAROL...

Orinda Senior Village in Orinda, CA.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... DIANE BROWNING recently was named administrator at Orinda Senior Village in Orinda, CA.

Saint John's Retirement Village in Woodland, CA.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... LARRY BEAR was named administrator at Saint John's Retirement Village in Woodland, CA.

Saratoga Retirement Community in Saratoga, CA.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... IRA KURIZ is the new executive director at Saratoga Retirement Community in Saratoga, CA.

Cambrian Center.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... RONALD ANDERSON was named the executive director at Cambrian Center. He previously was at Saratoga Retirement Community.

Jewish Home in San Francisco.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... SANDRA SIMON-MURPHY was named administrator at the Jewish Home in San Francisco. She replaces SANDRA EPSTEIN, who will retire after nearly 20 years with the facility.

Fellowship Manor in San Francisco.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... KIM ABRAMS recently became administrator at Fellowship Manor in San Francisco.

Colonie Manor Assisted Living in Latham, NY.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... ERIN PURCELL was named executive director at Colonie Manor Assisted Living in Latham, NY. She previously worked at Dayhaven Adult Care in Schenectady, NY.

Nationwide Health Properties.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... DOUGLAS PASQUALE is in line to become CEO of Nationwide Health Properties, a real estate investment trust that invests in seniors housing and long-term care facilities. The Nationwide board also announced that Pasquale, formerly president and...

Morningside Assisted Living in Rock Hill, SC.(Milestones)
February 9, 2004... LESLIE HALL was named executive director of Morningside Assisted Living in Rock Hill, SC. Hall previously was executive director at Atria Assisted Living and Lake Wylie Retirement and Assisted Living.

Who was your most memorable resident?(Reader Poll)
February 9, 2004... JAMES KING Occupational Therapist, Lakeland Village, Medical Lake, WA I was working with a man we will call Harold. He came to Life Care Center of Kennewick in Washington. While working with him, I found out he was a World War II veteran....

McKnight's ADLs.(People & Opinions)
February 9, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: "Eat your custard, dad. It cost the state ten dollars."

When life is a cabaret: huge Friday parties at The Nathaniel Witherell draw dancing crowds, smiling residents and guests who keep coming back for more.(LTCN profile)
February 9, 2004... The 19-year-old daughter of a nursing home resident, a professional hula dancer, shook her hips at The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home's luau happy hour on a recent Friday in a bikini and grass skirt. Residents, attired in leis, Hawaiian hats...