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

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

CMS: Part D on the mend.
March 1, 2006... Most of the major problems with Medicare Part D drug benefit implementation should be fixed by the end of this month, according to the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Testifying before the Senate Finance...

Bush seeks 'savings' for social programs.(NEWS)
March 1, 2006... President Bush proposed a $2.77 trillion budget for 2007 that trims Medicare and Medicaid outlays. The new plan arrived less than a week after the president signed the 2006 budget, which initiates cuts from these programs. Long-term care...

Beverly sale all but done.(Beverly Enterprises Inc., Fillmore Capital Partners)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... The shareholders of Beverly Enterprises Inc. voted over-whelmingly last month to approve the sale of the company to privately held Fillmore Capital Partners LLC. Completion of the $1.8 billion deal should occur by the middle of March. The...

Workers fail to get shots.(NEWS)
March 1, 2006... Less than half of all healthcare workers get flu shots, a new study shows. Only 38% of healthcare workers said they had received flu vaccinations, according to a report in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The rate was particularly...

Drugs linked to downturn.(anticholinergic drugs)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... A type of drug that is commonly prescribed for a wide array of ailments in the elderly may cause mild mental impairment. Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat numerous conditions, including nausea, spasms, irregular heart rhythm,...

Therapy extensions to ease financial burdens.(exceptions process)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... An automatic exceptions process should enable a vast majority of residents receiving Medicare Part B therapy to continue as needed--even beyond new payment caps. The "face value" auto exceptions process would exclude qualifying residents...

State Medicaid costs near 22%.(NEWS)
March 1, 2006... States now spend more on Medicaid than they do on elementary and secondary education, a policy group announced in its annual review of outlays. Overall, states spent 21.9% of their revenue on Medicaid in fiscal year 2004. Elementary and...

Time is running out to join a March 15 McKnight's Webcast.(At deadline)
March 1, 2006... Time is running out to join a March 15 McKnight's Webcast. Steve Chies, a senior vice president for the Benedictine Health System, will discuss ways providers can harness technology to improve outcomes. Free registration for this one-hour event...

Long-term care administrators earn about $77.300, according to a new survey from WageWatch Inc.(At deadline)
March 1, 2006... Long-term care administrators earn about $77.300, according to a new survey from WageWatch Inc. For registered nurses, the figure is $50,100. Data is based on information from 90,000 employees.

Medicaid beneficiaries may sue states that cut funds in order to restrict access to nursing home care.(At deadline)
March 1, 2006... Medicaid beneficiaries may sue states that cut funds in order to restrict access to nursing home care, an Oregon appellate court unanimously ruled.

A three-year study will examine the most effective ways to enroll low-income beneficiaries.(At deadline)
March 1, 2006... A three-year study will examine the most effective ways to enroll low-income beneficiaries into the Medicare Part D drug benefit.

60 seconds with ...(American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging)(Interview)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Q: Why the culture change push now? A: One of (American Association of Homes and Services President) Larry Minnix's "five big ideas," issued in October at our annual meeting, is promoting culture change. Q: What exactly does that mean?...

Budget law cuts programs, takes swipe at asset hiding.(NEWS)
March 1, 2006... President Bush last month signed the fiscal year 2006 budget reconciliation bill. The legislation calls for $6.4 billion in cuts over five years for Medicare and $4.8 billion for Medicaid. The law contains measures that make it harder for...

Medicaid panelists mull carving out LTC.(NEWS)(Discussion)
March 1, 2006... The federal Medicaid commission looking into ways to improve the government program recently mulled over the possibility of separating long-term care financing from Medicaid. Former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist (R), commission chairman,...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a rule regarding the ownership of certain respiratory devices.(Regulatory Update)
March 1, 2006... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a rule regarding the ownership of certain respiratory devices. Medicare beneficiaries who use certain devices may take ownership after 13 months instead of renting them indefinitely.

The Food & Drug Administration said it will develop an electronic reporting system for adverse reactions to approved medical devices.(Regulatory Update)
March 1, 2006... The Food & Drug Administration said it will develop an electronic reporting system for adverse reactions to approved medical devices. It also plans to take other monitoring measures.

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced legislation that would eliminate the cost-sharing co-payment.(Bill Watch)
March 1, 2006... Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced legislation that would eliminate the cost-sharing co-payment that dual eligible beneficiaries must pay for drugs under the Medicare Part D program.

Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and others are co-sponsoring a bill that would require drug plans to maintain coverage of drugs.(Bill Watch)
March 1, 2006... Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and others are co-sponsoring a bill that would require drug plans to maintain coverage of drugs that were listed on their formularies when beneficiaries signed up for the plan.

Ask the care expert.(resident care)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... We suspect one of our residents might be prone to violent outbursts. How should our nurses proceed, given there's been no solid evidence yet? If nurses suspect a resident is prone to violent outbursts, an immediate meeting of the IDCP...

Study: drugs, talk therapy help treat adult depression.(NEWS / Resident Care)
March 1, 2006... Depressed older adults could benefit from a treatment program that combines both medicine and talk therapy, new research suggests. Study participants who received IMPACT (Improving Mood Promoting Access to Collaborative Care Treatment), a...

Regular exercise among older adults could prevent dementia, according to new research reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine.(Caregiving Update)
March 1, 2006... Regular exercise among older adults could prevent dementia, according to new research reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Adults who walk three times a week for 15 minutes will reduce their risk of dementia, study authors suggest. The...

Patients with stroke or diabetic neuropathy could benefit from a pair of vibrating insoles, a new study says.(Caregiving Update)
March 1, 2006... Patients with stroke or diabetic neuropathy could benefit from a pair of vibrating insoles, a new study says. The vibrations in the shoes seem to stimulate neurons, resulting in improved balance for the wearers. The study was published in the...

Researchers identified a single genetic mutation that accounts for more than 20% of all cases of Parkinson's disease in Arabs, North Africans and Ashkenazi Jews, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.(Caregiving Update)
March 1, 2006... Researchers identified a single genetic mutation that accounts for more than 20% of all cases of Parkinson's disease in Arabs, North Africans and Ashkenazi Jews, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Prior to the finding, genetics...

The division of adult neurons, or nerve cells, may trigger Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study appearing in the Journal of Neuroscience.(Caregiving Update)
March 1, 2006... The division of adult neurons, or nerve cells, may trigger Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study appearing in the Journal of Neuroscience. It was known that nerve cells affected by the illness often start to divide before they die. The...

Ask the treatment expert.(pressure ulcers)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... My residents sometimes get pressure ulcers behind the ear from the oxygen tubing. Is there anything out there that is made for these types of ulcers? This is a very challenging area to work with, especially since the skin is so tender...

Skin substitute development could lead to saved life, limb.(NEWS / Wound Care)
March 1, 2006... More than 100,000 people--including many nursing home residents--have limbs surgically removed each year. One big reason: diabetic foot ulcers. Researchers nationwide are developing new artificial skin technologies that could eventually make...

'Fool' rushes in, gives good reviews to KCI.(Kinetic Concepts Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Wound-care company Kinetic Concepts Inc. has faced its share of problems lately. At press time, the firm was trading lawsuits with Blue Sky Medical, its major competitor. In addition, Medicare payments for its wound care products are likely to...

3M.(3M Tegaderm Ag Mesh Dressing with Silver)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... 3M has announced the launch of 3M Tegaderm Ag Mesh Dressing with Silver. The product protects for up to seven days against a wide range of microbes, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA and VRE(a). It may may be used as a...

Cytomedix, Inc.(Treatment Update)
March 1, 2006... Cytomedix, Inc. is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for its AutoloGel System product. If approved, the product will be available to promote diabetic foot ulcer healing.

Johnson & Johnson Wound Management.(Treatment Update)
March 1, 2006... Johnson & Johnson Wound Management announced that diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers treated with rhPDGF were 32% more likely to heal within 20 weeks than those not treated with the product, whose marketing name is Regranex Gel.

Malignant melanoma can masquerade as a decubitus heel ulceration, according to a recent study.(Treatment Update)
March 1, 2006... Malignant melanoma can masquerade as a decubitus heel ulceration, according to a recent study. Writing in the January issue of Wounds, investigators said, "This is a rare yet solemn finding that may easily be overlooked."

Ask the nursing expert.(NEWS / Nursing)
March 1, 2006... When do you suggest it truly is not only a quicker but also a good idea to perform a quick manual transfer without mechanical aide? The answer mostly depends on the policy of the facility. Many facilities have a "no lift" policy, so a quick...

Long-term care nurse ratio holding steady, report finds.(NEWS / Nursing)
March 1, 2006... The percentage of registered nurses working in long-term care has hardly changed during the past haft decade, preliminary results from a study find. About 6.3% of all RNs reported nursing homes and extended care facilities as their primary...

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations issued a sentinel event alert urging healthcare.(Medication Update)
March 1, 2006... The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations issued a sentinel event alert urging healthcare providers to accurately and completely compare drug orders with the actual medication taken at every transition of care to avoid...

A new package insert rule from the federal Food and Drug Administration is designed to better manage the risks of medication use and reduce medication errors, according to the agency.(Medication Update)
March 1, 2006... A new package insert rule from the federal Food and Drug Administration is designed to better manage the risks of medication use and reduce medication errors, according to the agency. Under the rule, package inserts must list safety warnings,...

The Alzheimer's drugs Aricept, Razadyne and Exelon all offer small improvements in mental functioning and the ability to carry out everyday activities in people with mild to moderate forms of the disease.(Medication Update)
March 1, 2006... The Alzheimer's drugs Aricept, Razadyne and Exelon all offer small improvements in mental functioning and the ability to carry out everyday activities in people with mild to moderate forms of the disease, according to a new review of recent...

The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin individually do not appear to help mild arthritis sufferers.(Medication Update)
March 1, 2006... The supplements glucosamine and chondroitin individually do not appear to help mild arthritis sufferers, but when combined, may help with moderate and severe pain, according to a study by rheumatologists from the University of Utah School of...

Ask the payment expert.(NEWS / Payment & Policy)
March 1, 2006... Now that the therapy caps are in place, how can we be sure to provide appropriate care to our residents? The program that can assist you the most is your Restorative Nursing program. Having a comprehensive restorative nursing program with...

Medicaid look-back changes might put you 'on the hook'.(NEWS / Payment & Policy)
March 1, 2006... Despite passage of a new law to further restrict potential residents' transferring of assets to qualify for Medicaid covered nursing home care, providers are not cheering. The law, passed Feb. 1, is aimed at thwarting the estimated 13% of...

CMS offers tips on Part D.(NEWS / Payment & Policy)
March 1, 2006... Federal health officials have issued recommendations to help providers ensure they receive proper reimbursement when it comes to drug coverage under various Medicare programs. Since the rollout of the new Medicare Part D drug benefit Jan....

Go figure.(NEWS / Payment & Policy)
March 1, 2006... 12.6 A study conducted by Ohio State University researchers showed 12.6% of nursing home residents who became Medicaid eligible had transferred wealth to their families before becoming eligible. The average amount transferred was a...

National HealthCare Corp.(Business Briefs)
March 1, 2006... National HealthCare Corp. reached an agreement with National Health Investors Inc. to extend its lease on 41 long-term care properties through Dec. 31, 2021. The 15-year lease extension begins Jan. 1, 2007, and includes three additional...

Kindred Healthcare Inc.(Business Briefs)
March 1, 2006... Kindred Healthcare Inc. signed an agreement to buy four long-term acute care hospitals from Health Care REIT Inc. for $80 million. Kindred earlier agreed to purchase the real estate associated with these four hospitals in connection with...

Trilogy Health Services.(Business Briefs)
March 1, 2006... Trilogy Health Services bought Calvary Manor, a 78-bed nursing home, in Ottawa, OH, for an undisclosed price. Trilogy this year plans to open eight facilities, adding 725 beds, in the Midwest. It operates 30 senior living communities in...

Kindred, Ventas predict woes from proposed LTAC rulings.(long-term acute care hospitals, Kindred Healthcare Inc., Ventas Inc.)
March 1, 2006... At least one major long-term care player and its real estate investment trust are butting heads due to tighter financial times. The spark? A new government recommendation to lower payments to long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs) in fiscal...

Manor Care's earnings drop.(markets)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Manor Care Inc.'s earnings nose-dived in the fourth quarter, due largely to debt refinancing, hurricane-related losses and a higher tax rate. But operational growth in the quarter resulted in a boost in dividends for shareholders. Profits...

Metro monitor.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Metro Monitor The top and bottom metropolitan markets as ranked the continuing care retirement community (CCRC) penetration rate (the number of CCRC units per age 75+ households). Leaders 1 Kansas City 10.0% 2 ...

President Bush is proposing a 50% hike in information technology spending at the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal year 2007.(IT Update)
March 1, 2006... President Bush is proposing a 50% hike in information technology spending at the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal year 2007. One of his goals is to see the creation of an interoperable health information network and electronic...

The long-term care industry will be included in the pilot project to test initial standards for electronic prescribing (e-prescribing).(IT Update)
March 1, 2006... The long-term care industry will be included in the pilot project to test initial standards for electronic prescribing (e-prescribing). These standards may ultimately be adopted as the final standards that will create an electronic transmission...

American Health.(IT Update)
March 1, 2006... American Health Information Community workgroups have begun convening in Washington. The workgroups will address issues such as electronic health records, chronic care and consumer empowerment. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael...

The creation and maintenance of the data dictionary is pivotal to the success of an electronic health record (EHR) system, according to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).(IT Update)
March 1, 2006... The creation and maintenance of the data dictionary is pivotal to the success of an electronic health record (EHR) system, according to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Standardizing data content and data...

While cell phones pose a small risk of interfering with medical equipment, this risk is more than offset by their help in improving communication and reducing medical errors, a new study finds.(IT Update)
March 1, 2006... While cell phones pose a small risk of interfering with medical equipment, this risk is more than offset by their help in improving communication and reducing medical errors, a new study finds. Facility policies prohibiting cell phone may need...

Bush counting on health IT to address care and costs.(NEWS / Technology)
March 1, 2006... The nation must embrace health information technology tools as a way to improve care and lower costs, President Bush declared yet again during his State of the Union address. "We will make wider use of electronic records and other health...

"I couldn't live without ...".(NEWS / Technology)
March 1, 2006... Unicru might be considered the "eHarmony" for long-term care employees. Like the well-known dating service, Unicru identifies personality traits in individuals that would lead to positive outcomes--but for a long-term care setting. Kathy LeVee,...

GAO: State misses violations.(WEST)
March 1, 2006... CALIFORNIA--The state continues to fall behind federal standards in investigating nursing home complaints and addressing serious deficiencies in quality of care, according to a recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. ...

LTC report card launch.(MINNESOTA)
March 1, 2006... The state recently released a new kind of nursing home report card on each of the state's 396 nursing homes. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) and Minnesota Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach unveiled the initiative during a recent broadcast of the...

Bill mandates ex-con notification.(House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... UTAH--The state House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee recently approved a measure requiring nursing homes and their residents to be notified of the admission of an ex-convict. Some long-term facilities in the state have had...

AL draining nursing home beds.(PLAINS/MOUNTAINS)
March 1, 2006... SOUTH DAKOTA--Nearly 25% of the state's nursing home beds are empty, healthcare officials said, attributing the low occupancy to an increase in the number of assisted living facilities. Until about 2000, practically all nursing homes were...

Manslaughter charges brought.(MIDWEST)
March 1, 2006... MICHIGAN--A Detroit nursing home, its medical director and co-owner, and the director of nursing all have been charged with a felony count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a nursing home resident. In addition, Parkridge...

Bill increases public funds.(Medical Assistance)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... WISCONSIN--The State Senate unanimously approved a measure mandating that any federal Medical Assistance matching funds received by the state be directed to county and municipal nursing home operating deficits. Authored by state Sen. Joe...

Lawsuit: bath concealed death.(Hospitality House)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... INDIANA--A lawsuit filed by the daughters of a 74-year-old resident at a Bedford nursing home who died of hypothermia claim his corpse was bathed, redressed and put back in bed after being found outside. The lawsuit against Hospitality...

Flu vaccination rate low.(SOUTHEAST)
March 1, 2006... FLORIDA--The state is ranked one of the lowest in the nation in ensuring senior citizens get their flu shots, according to a report from the American College of Emergency Physicians. Between 2002 and 2004, which are the most recent years...

Ask the legal expert.(NEWS / Legal Matters)
March 1, 2006... In order to assist residents with Medicare Part D issues can my facility access a resident's drug plan enrollment information? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services established a procedure whereby nursing facilities can determine the...

States challenge feds over Medicare drug benefit costs.(NEWS / Legal Matters)
March 1, 2006... California is leading a contingent of at least five states that want to prevent the federal government from charging unexpected costs from the new Medicare drug benefit. The first month of the Part D drug plans proved chaotic for many...

State court blocks forced arbitration bid.(NEWS / Legal Matters)
March 1, 2006... Although a resident's representative signed a nursing home admission contract, the arbitration clause within it cannot be enforced because the line right after the clause was not signed, Mississippi's highest court has ruled. A resident's...

Dementia care: following the money: demographies and revenues make Alzheimer's care a growth industry with varied models.(NEWS / Analysis)
March 1, 2006... To understand why Alzheimer's services are growing, it helps to remember the words of Willie Sutton. Sutton earned a living and enduring infamy as bank robber. When asked why he chose such an unusual line of work, he allegedly replied,...

Medicaid's LTC solution proves elusive: costs and political challenges make solving the long-term care funding riddle tricky.(long term care)
March 1, 2006... EDITOR'S NOTE: Providers are facing cutbacks in Medicaid funding, the biggest payer of long-term care in the United States. In addition, the federal government is trying to deemphasize institutionalized long-term care. This article, which first...

How to do it ...: electronic health records.(documentation)
March 1, 2006... Federal health officials are pushing for greater use of electronic health records, and they're pumping millions of dollars into the effort. Key long-term care players in the information technology realm are embracing the push. But they realize...

Building the business.(Business & Marketing)(Brief article)
March 1, 2006... Challenge: Vet facility needed Response: $7M conversion Result: More coming? CASE STUDY: After years of debate and wrangling, Arkansas is about to unveil its first facility for military veterans. The $7.1 million center is...

Design decisions: activity levels linked to design, programs.(Business & Marketing)
March 1, 2006... CAN FACILITY CHARACTERISTICS and programs encourage residents to be more physically active? Absolutely, according to an article published in the Seniors Housing and Care Journal by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's...

They 'ain't ready for reform'.
March 1, 2006... Paddy Bauler is a largely forgotten Chicago politician who owns an immortal phrase. "Chicago ain't ready for reform," the 43rd Ward alderman once observed. The statement came 50 years ago, as civic do-gooders were trying to clean up yet...

Improving culture implies more than name change.(nursing homes)(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... "What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Shades of Shakespeare's intent still ring true. About 10 to 15 years ago, the movement to change nursing home names really began to pick up steam. It...

Reader poll.(Opinion)
March 1, 2006... "What or who inspired you to work in long-term care.'?" "My husband and I purchased a small nursing home before my mother-in-law had her leg amputated. [The surgery] just made us instill in our employees that every resident should be...

Pressure point: the 'shock and awe' of stark, new guidelines on wound care have not yet hit, but providers can expect some changes.(nurse practitioner)
March 1, 2006... One can excuse Roberta White if she sounds a bit blase about fallout from the new surveyor emphasis on F-Tag 314. Wound care, after all, has been a point of emphasis for her nursing and rehab facility for a long time. She and her...

Bugging out: infection control poses new challenges as "super bugs' have begun to infiltrate facilities. But providers fighting back.(Laundry/Housekeeping)
March 1, 2006... Bacteria are everywhere. Don't look now, but a few are crawling around your desk and even up your nose. While not all are bad, the harmful kind can wreak human havoc, especially on older people with comprised immune systems. Providers have...

Medication labeling.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... The new Mini-LiquiDose[TM] Label from Medi-Dose, Inc./EPS Inc. is the latest addition to the LiquiDose label line. The label was designed primarily for use with syringes and ampules. MiniLiquiDose can be imprinted using any laser or ink jet...

Protective bag.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... The Convenience Bag by GKR Industries Inc. offers increased protection from vomit splatter that can carry infectious diseases. The patented outer sleeve with hand protection safeguards the caregiver. The inner valve prevents con tents from...

Infection-control wipes.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... New Hygea[R] Flushable Wipes from PDI[R] offer germ control and cleaning ease for the long-term care resident and their caregivers. The flushable wipes are soft enough for the most sensitive, delicate, compromised skin because they are alcohol...

Safe-lifting kit.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... Liko Inc., a leading global supplier of patient lift and transfer solutions, has launched the "Safe Lifting Environment," an awareness campaign designed to raise consciousness about preventing injuries through safer patient lifting. The...

Hands-free documentation.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... AccuNurse 2.0 from Adherence Technologies is a voice-activated, hands-free device that allows documentation at the point of care. The system uses sophisticated speech-recognition and VoIP technology to instantly update the patient's record,...

Portable air purification.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... Airsonett Inc. has introduced two new wheel-based dolly systems for its first-of-a-kind portable air purification system, the Airsonett Airshower[R]. The Airsonett Airshower[R] provides a revolutionary new treatment for asthma, allergy and...

Invacare Corp.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... Invacare has introduced the Reliant 440 stand-up lift, with a maximum weight capacity of 440 pounds. It's designed to transfer residents with comfort and security, while eliminating manual lifting. It's the answer to patient handling needs. ...

Cost-effective wound care.(Recent Arrivals)
March 1, 2006... 3M[TM] has introduced Tegaderm[TM] Ag Mesh Dressing with Silver, a fast-acting, cost-effective dressing that can rapidly reduce a wide range of microbes and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA and VRE. It is constructed of 100% cotton...

RehabWorks.(Fall Prevention/Resident Monitoring)
March 1, 2006... At RehabWorks, we provide the right people, the right training, the right direction, and the right resources to deliver your facility the right results. FOR MORE INFO: (888) 281-2289 www.rehabworks.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]