McKnight's Long-Term Care News articles from March 2009

McKnight's Long-Term Care News archives from March 2009

Sebelius likely to get HHS nod.(Health and Human Services)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius emerged as the top candidate to become secretary of Health and Human Services. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was President Obama's first choice, but he withdrew his...

Medicaid payments top 'stimulus' gains.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The president signed a landmark $787 stimulus package last month that will funnel billions of dollars to state Medicaid programs. Long-term care leaders lauded the developments. "We commend and thank the...

5-star tweaks bring fallout.
March 1, 2009... Federal authorities have tweaked their new "Five-Star" nursing home ranking system several times since its rushed rollout Dec. 18. But, with few exceptions, provider complaints haven't stopped. Various provider advocates have issued...

Worrying may hurt the mind.(NEWS)
March 1, 2009... If you chill, you won't fall ill. Actually, you might end up significantly lowering your chances of developing dementia. Participants in a recent study who were socially active and calm were 50% less likely to develop dementia. The same...

Fewer bugged by flu this year.(NEWS)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As of last month, the flu season was shaping up to be milder than last year's, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Influenza Division. Anecdotal reports indicated that the number of...

Obama orders show pro-union sentiment.(NEWS)(President Barack Obama)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] President Obama issued a series of pro-labor executive orders barely more than a week into his presidency, sparking new worries for providers and other employers that even more pro-union action could be forthcoming....

Online Expo offers 5 free CEUs.(NEWS)
March 1, 2009... Long-term care professionals have yet another reason to participate in the upcoming McKnight's Online Expo on March 25-26: free continuing education credits. The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) recently...

Industry officials are praising a unique provision in the newly passed Children's Health insurance Program Reauthorization Act.(At Deadline)
March 1, 2009... Industry officials are praising a unique provision in the newly passed Children's Health insurance Program Reauthorization Act. The measure establishes a Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). The group will review the...

Loan performance and capitalization rates in the seniors housing sector are beginning to feel the pinch of the nation's economic downturn, according to a third-quarter analysis from the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC).(At Deadline)
March 1, 2009... Loan performance and capitalization rates in the seniors housing sector are beginning to feel the pinch of the nation's economic downturn, according to a third-quarter analysis from the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care...

The House of Representatives passed a bill 397-25 that would fund elder abuse prosecution.(At Deadline)
March 1, 2009... The House of Representatives passed a bill 397-25 that would fund elder abuse prosecution and establish education and therapy programs for victims and their families.

60 seconds with ... Anne Tumlinson: analyst Avalare Health Medicare cost survey.(NEWS)(Interview)
March 1, 2009... Q: What was unexpected from your report for the SCAN Foundation? A: We were surprised to see the extent to which elderly with severe disabilities consume a much higher amount of medical care resources--4.5 times more--when compared to...

Economic stimulus package offers funds for IT, housing.(NEWS)
March 1, 2009... The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which the president signed into law last month, provides desired funding for long-term care providers. The most obvious financial take-away is a 6.2% increase in the Federal Medical...

Movable platform may help prevent falls.(NEWS)
March 1, 2009... Training people to avoid falls in a laboratory environment offers hope for fall prevention among older adults. In a recent study, eight participants trained on a moveable platform for a total 37 times. The platform released 24 of those...

States will be able to increase Medicaid cost-sharing and premium charges as of March 27, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.(Regulatory Update)
March 1, 2009... States will be able to increase Medicaid cost-sharing and premium charges as of March 27, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It moved the effective date from Jan. 26.

CMS asked state Medicaid officials to strengthen the integrity of their programs.(Regulatory Update)
March 1, 2009... CMS asked state Medicaid officials to strengthen the integrity of their programs. Providers should screen their own employees and contractors for excluded persons, CMS advised in a letter.

President Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.(Bill Watch)
March 1, 2009... President Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It relaxes the statute of limitations on lawsuits for pay discrimination.

Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) sponsored a bill (S. 301).(Bill Watch)
March 1, 2009... Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) sponsored a bill (S. 301) that would require pharmaceutical and medical device companies to publicly disclose any gifts and payments to physicians valued at $100 or more per calendar year.

Ask: the care expert.(NEWS: Resident Care)
March 1, 2009... I am a new charge nurse and don't understand the way the state scored our deficiencies. Can you give me a Web site I can check to better understand how this was done? Your facility should have a copy of your state regulations available....

Racial factors affect use of end-of-life care, study finds.(NEWS: Resident Care)
March 1, 2009... Providers offering end-of-life care may need to investigate residents' personal and cultural preferences more closely, new study results suggest. Racial disparities still exist when it comes to end-of-life care, according to a new study...

Dementia risk higher for young diabetics.(NEWS: Resident Care)
March 1, 2009... Diabetics, including those who become diagnosed in middle age, have more than double the risk of acquiring Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia later in life, new research shows. Those who got diabetes before the age of 65 were 125% more...

Caregivers can earn continuing education credits at a two-day "Restorative Conference" March 31-April 1.(Caregiving Update)(Conference notes)
March 1, 2009... Caregivers can earn continuing education credits at a two-day "Restorative Conference" March 31-April 1. Experts will focus on incontinence care, mobility training, payment issues and more. To learn about the conference, hosted by the Alliance...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sent a survey and certification letter in January revising the guidance on pain management at F-309 (483.25), Quality of Care.(Caregiving Update)
March 1, 2009... The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sent a survey and certification letter in January revising the guidance on pain management at F-309 (483.25), Quality of Care. The guidance is effective March 31.

Individuals who drink three to five cups of coffee in middle age have lower risks for dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life than those who drink more, or steer clear of the brew altogether, according to a review of Scandinavian research.(Caregiving Update)
March 1, 2009... Individuals who drink three to five cups of coffee in middle age have lower risks for dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life than those who drink more, or steer clear of the brew altogether, according to a review of Scandinavian...

Ask: the treatment expert.(NEWS: Wound Care)
March 1, 2009... Do you have any tips for recognizing Stage II pressure ulcers and how to determine when they become Stage III? A Stage II pressure ulcer is partial thickness loss of the epidermis and dermis presenting as a shallow, open ulcer with a...

Graduated walking program may benefit some residents.(NEWS: Wound Care)
March 1, 2009... Residents with diabetic peripheral neuropathy might benefit from a graduated walking program, according to University of Missouri researchers. People with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are susceptible to foot ulcers. In extreme cases,...

Trillennium Medical Imaging has begun negotiations for a pressure ulcer study focused on ulcers caused by diabetic feet and venous legs.(Treatment Update)(Report)
March 1, 2009... Trillennium Medical Imaging has begun negotiations for a pressure ulcer study focused on ulcers caused by diabetic feet and venous legs. The firm currently is in talks with several major teaching and research universities, the goal of which is...

Smith & Nephew did not infringe on a patent held by Kinetic Concepts Inc., a competitor in the wound care business, a federal appeals court has ruled.(Treatment Update)
March 1, 2009... Smith & Nephew did not infringe on a patent held by Kinetic Concepts Inc., a competitor in the wound care business, a federal appeals court has ruled. However, the court upheld the validity of two KCI patents involved in the litigation. Both...

Medline Industries recently introduced a new educational CD.(Treatment Update)
March 1, 2009... Medline Industries recently introduced a new educational CD with four key components to instruct physicians on assessing and documenting pressure ulcers among residents.

Ask: the nursing expert.(NEWS: Nursing)
March 1, 2009... How do you manage an RN who wants to challenge--even publicly--your every decision as a DON? Set aside some time to meet with this nurse. Send an invitation in memo form stating date, time, place and purpose of the meeting (to discuss her...

Experts: nursing careers a good investment for future.(NEWS: Nursing)
March 1, 2009... Amid all the uncertainty of the nation's current economic crisis, employment experts are unanimous on one point: Nurses should have few worries about finding work opportunities. Even though vacancies and turnover dropped on average last...

Report: second-career nurses valuable.(NEWS: Nursing)
March 1, 2009... Second-career nurses could be providers' best hope for coping with growing nursing shortages, University of Buffalo researchers say. Completing a nursing degree after having finished a degree in another field could present a fast,...

The Food and Drug Administration approved once-yearly Reclast to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.(Medication Update)
March 1, 2009... The Food and Drug Administration approved once-yearly Reclast to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis. Reclast has been approved to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis and the reduction of new clinical fractures following a hip fracture in...

The antidepressant Lexapro helped older adults with generalized anxiety disorder, a new study found.(Medication Update)
March 1, 2009... The antidepressant Lexapro helped older adults with generalized anxiety disorder, a new study found. Full results were published in the Jan. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Symptoms of this disorder include chronic...

The Food and Drug Administration has fallen short in screening physicians involved in drug trials for potential conflicts of interest.(Medication Update)
March 1, 2009... The Food and Drug Administration has fallen short in screening physicians involved in drug trials for potential conflicts of interest, a report by the HHS's Office of the Inspector General found.

Ask: the payment expert.(NEWS: Payment & Policy)
March 1, 2009... Can you tell me how to calculate my staffing to make sure I meet the "Five-Star" nursing home rating system objectives? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services "Five-Star" program is complex and somewhat difficult to understand....

'Silver Alert' bill receives the green light from House again.(NEWS: Payment & Policy)(National Silver Alert Act)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The U.S. House of Representatives spent little time approving a bill that would create a national notification system for seniors who go missing. The "National Silver Alert Act" (H.R. 632) passed by voice vote in early February. The...

The one that got away: rate protections.(NEWS: Payment & Policy)(payment to providers; Senator Charles Grassley)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... While passage of the massive economic stimulus bill was largely good news for long-term care providers, they also can wistfully talk about "the one that got away." Not included in the package was an amendment by Sen. Charles Grassley...

Sun Healthcare Group Inc.(Business Briefs)
March 1, 2009... Sun Healthcare Group Inc. and Skilled Healthcare Group shares got a boost in late January after an analyst predicted that reimbursement rates would not change much this year. Gary Taylor of Citi Investment Research said he does not believe that...

Care Foundation of America.(Business Briefs)
March 1, 2009... Care Foundation of America, a not-for-profit charity, has sued National Health Investors Inc. of Murfreesboro, TN, claiming it was overcharged when it purchased six nursing homes in Florida for about $33 million nearly 10 years ago. It sued in...

Capital Senior Living Corp.'s.(Business Briefs)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Capital Senior Living Corp.'s board authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $10 million of its common stock. "Given the current market conditions, we believe this stock repurchase program is a prudent use of our capital and demonstrates...

Metro monitor.(Business Briefs)(nursing care)(Statistical table)
March 1, 2009... Metro Monitor The top and bottom metropolitan areas in the U.S. for the penetration of nursing care beds per households with a member 75 or older, as of the 2008 third quarter. Leaders Rank Metro Nursing Care ...

Loan performance, cap rates take hit in third quarter: NIC.(NEWS: Companies)
March 1, 2009... The troubled economy and rocky credit markets appear to be catching up with long-term care, according to a new report from the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry. Loan performance and capitalization rates both...

Sunwest sells 45 properties.(NEWS: Companies)
March 1, 2009... Two executives, including CEO Jon Harder, resigned from their positions at Salem, OR-based Sunwest Management Inc. They stepped down shortly after the national seniors housing project management company cut its number of units by 18%. The...

FMAP matches.(GOOD month)
March 1, 2009... FMAP matches: The new economic stimulus package will boost each state's Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) by 6.2% from the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 through the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, according to an...

Humidity.(GOOD month)
March 1, 2009... Humidity: Researchers at Oregon State University recently found that more humid air reduces the ability of flu viruses to survive during winter months--when air tends to be dry.

Medicaid LTC guarantees.(BAD month)
March 1, 2009... Medicaid LTC guarantees: The nation's governors are against a Senate amendment that protects Medicaid payment guarantees to providers.

Education as an Alzheimer's hedge.(BAD month)
March 1, 2009... Education as an Alzheimer's hedge: More years of educational attainment do not protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. Rather, higher education could lead to a higher overall level of cognitive function later in life,...

Providers who haven't yet made accommodations for the soon-to-arrive all digital television service received a reprieve at press time.(IT Update)
March 1, 2009... Providers who haven't yet made accommodations for the soon-to-arrive all digital television service received a reprieve at press time. Congress voted to delay the nation's transition to digital TV by four months to June 12. The change applies...

Economic stimulus legislation passed by Congress now includes information technology funding for long-term care facilities and nursing homes.(IT Update)
March 1, 2009... Economic stimulus legislation passed by Congress now includes information technology funding for long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) successfully amended the pending measure. Original language in the Senate...

Quinnipiac University.(IT Update)
March 1, 2009... Quinnipiac University researchers will attempt to determine whether seniors monitored by wireless sensors can remain independent longer. The study will be conducted at the Masonicare healthcare and retirement community in Wallingford, CT.

The Department of Health and Human Services released the long-awaited ICD-10 code set and set a new compliance date of Oct. 1, 2013.(IT Update)
March 1, 2009... The Department of Health and Human Services released the long-awaited ICD-10 code set and set a new compliance date of Oct. 1, 2013. The later date gives providers two additional years to prepare for the regulation, which is used to report...

IBM.(IT Update)
March 1, 2009... IBM is teaming with Google on new software for moving data from remote personal medical devices into Google Health and other personal health records. Patients will be able to exchange health information with their physicians and other health...

The Center for Democracy and Technology claims gaining patient consent is not always necessary or even helpful in the flow of health IT data.(IT Update)
March 1, 2009... The Center for Democracy and Technology claims gaining patient consent is not always necessary or even helpful in the flow of health IT data, while Microsoft complains that too many in the health IT industry use data lock-in as a tactic to keep...

President Obama cited electronic records as a way to improve healthcare.(IT Update)
March 1, 2009... President Obama cited electronic records as a way to improve healthcare while lowering costs at his first press conference.

CAST adds new interaction to major technology study.(NEWS: Technology)(Center for Aging Services Technologies)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... The Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) has released an interactive version of the "State of Technology in Aging Services Report" it showcased during the recent International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The report can...

"I couldn't live without ...".(NEWS: Technology)(Predictive Index)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With turnover rates at facilities presenting a near constant problem, administrators are always looking for a way to retain staff members. At Niagara Lutheran Health System in Buffalo, NY, certified nursing...

Budget deal reached.(WEST)(California state budget)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... CALIFORNIA -- Lawmakers approved a plan at press time that uses steep cuts and taxes to close a $42 billion deficit. The fiscal crisis had resulted in the halting of thousands of infrastructure projects, holding off tax refund checks and...

Nursing homes oppose proposal to display ratings.(CALIFORNIA)
March 1, 2009... A proposal that would require facilities throughout the state to prominently show their new federal star ratings has received pushback from nursing homes. The plan, proposed by Los Angeles County supervisors, would require any nursing home...

Care costs problematic.(WEST)
March 1, 2009... HAWAII -- The high cost of long-term care has become a major concern to senior advocates, according to a report in The Honolulu Advertiser. Institutional care in Hawaii ranks among the most expensive in the country. For a semi-private room...

Bed tax helps funding cuts.(SOUTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... FLORIDA -- A new state law places a maximum 5.5 % tax on nursing homes' net revenues as a way to increase Medicaid federal matching funds. The tax, which would provide $166 million in funding through the end of June, restores rate cuts...

Insurance would pay up.(SOUTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... ALABAMA -- A state legislator has introduced a bill that would prohibit insurance companies from canceling long-term care policies for beneficiaries who enter nursing homes. There has been at least one case in the state where a longtime...

Law would limit damages.(SOUTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... TENNESSEE---Nursing homes are pushing for passage of a bill that places limits on the amount of damages that courts can award plaintiffs. Tennessee is one of 16 states that do not place a monetary limit for damages, which increases the...

Rise in geriatric prisoners.(SOUTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... VIRGINIA -- A growing number of older inmates are occupying the state's correctional facilities. In 1999, the number of inmates aged 50 or older totaled 2,015. Today, there are nearly 4,700. State officials expect the total to reach 5,000...

Medicaid caps draw concern.(NORTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... RHODE ISLAND -- Concerned lawmakers and state officials continue to scrutinize a new policy that caps Medicaid spending at $12.4 billion through 2013. Among their worries: If the state runs out of money, it will lose federal matching...

Regulation hurts spouses.(NORTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... NEW YORK -- The state is protesting a rule that treats the financial welfare of spouses of partners in home care more harshly than those whose partners reside in long-term care facilities. In 1988, Congress enacted a law that protects...

Governor wants new plan.(NORTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... MASSACHUSETTS -- Gov. Deval Patrick (D) was planning to propose a change in the way eldercare services are monitored. He said he believes the agency that oversees Medicaid should replace the Executive Office of Elder Affairs in overseeing adult...

Nursing shortage dire.(NORTHEAST)
March 1, 2009... CONNECTICUT -- Alack of registered nurses in the state is likely to worsen, a report found. There likely will be a shortage of more than 11,000 nurses by 2010, according to a report by the United States Health Resources and Services...

Law ends mandatory OT.(NORTHEAST)(overtime)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... PENNSYLVANIA -- A new state law prohibits healthcare facilities from requiring mandatory staff overtime. Pennsylvania joins at least 15 other states in ending this practice. The law will take effect in July. It will prevent healthcare...

Rule would cut Medicaid.(MIDWEST)
March 1, 2009... INDIANA -- The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has proposed cutting Medicaid by 5 %, beginning in July. This would be a troubling development for nursing homes, physicians and hospitals, which are concerned about possible...

Proposal causes friction.(MIDWEST)
March 1, 2009... OHIO -- The governor's proposed state budget, which would nearly double the nursing-home "bed tax," has angered facilities. Operators fear that the increase, in addition to a planned Medicaid reduction to nursing homes, could bankrupt some...

Ask: the legal expert.(NEWS: Legal Matters)
March 1, 2009... Previously, you discussed the basics of the federal False Claims Act (FCA). What are some specific applications of the FCA in the nursing home and senior housing context? In recent years, the federal government has ramped up its use of the...

Court: CCRC may require transfer to higher care level.(NEWS: Legal Matters)(continuing care retirement community)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... A federal court has ruled that a continuing care retirement community may transfer a resident, against his or her wishes, to a unit offering more complex care. Moving the resident from an independent living unit to a higher level of care...

Law demands pressure-relief mattresses.(NEWS: Legal Matters)
March 1, 2009... Long-term care providers in New Jersey are facing a new law mandating they put visco elastic foam mattresses on each of their beds. The New Jersey Legislature unanimously passed a bill that requires nursing home operators to swap out...

Online Expo lets your fingers do the walking: McKnight's annual Online Expo offers free CE units for the first time.(NEWS: Calendar)(continuing education)
March 1, 2009... In this down-turned economy, when most things seem to be getting more difficult to accomplish or acquire, there is one high-quality endeavor bucking the trend. It's a recent innovation in terms of long-term care trade education and...

Dow.(Company Briefs)
March 1, 2009... Dow introduced its new flooring business at the 20th Domotex, which recently took place in Hanover, Germany. The Dow Flooring Technology Center showcased a range of sustainable flooring options.

UnitedHealth Group.(Company Briefs)
March 1, 2009... UnitedHealth Group recently announced that its Evercare unit has received the American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) Impact Award. The honor recognizes Evercare for helping seniors enjoy healthier lives.

Pfizer.(Company Briefs)
March 1, 2009... Pfizer announced that it would acquire U.S. rival Wyeth for about $68 billion. Pfizer--already the nation's largest drugmaker--said the acquisition would help it diversify its revenue base. It indicated one of its foci will be Alzheimer's...

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging recently unveiled a new Web site for its members at www.aahsa.org/economy.aspx.(Company Briefs)(Website overview)
March 1, 2009... The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging recently unveiled a new Web site for its members at www.aahsa.org/economy.aspx. The site lets participants share ideas that help trim costs and enhance revenue.

Opus Healthcare Solutions.(Company Briefs)
March 1, 2009... Opus Healthcare Solutions recently announced that its OpusMobility can run via secure cellular or Wi-Fi connections on all smart phone devices. OpusMobility lets providers monitor their patients' lab results and diagnostic reports outside of...

Depend to market underwear made just for men or women.(NEWS: Vendors)
March 1, 2009... Kimberly-Clark announced that its Depend line will begin selling a new line of gender-specific underwear for men and women this month. The new male and female designs are tailored to fit the unique body shapes of each sex. Better fit and...

How to do it ... info technology.(Business & Marketing)
March 1, 2009... New information technology products are vital, but they are seldom inexpensive. That makes it critical for providers, who are typically saddled with tight budgets, to learn how to implement new IT products as economically as possible. Experts...

How their garden grows: it won't be long before residents of Island Nursing and Rehab Center get their hands dirty in their newly planted Garden Of Hope.(Business & Marketing: Design)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With memories of February's frigid chills still fresh in our minds, it might be hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. But seasons change, and soon warmer temperatures will lead to budding flowers and...

A PEAK performance.(LEADING BY EXAMPLE)
March 1, 2009... One of the primary concepts behind the Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas (PEAK) award is promoting culture change in nursing homes. Jill Allin, director of sales and marketing for Village Shalom, a continuing care retirement community...

Hurtful words aren't OK.(THE BIG PICTURE)
March 1, 2009... Death is a term that most of us are reluctant to talk about. It's almost as if we don't want to seem offensive. But we're not nearly as reticent when it comes to thoughtless language that refers to our oldest citizens. The hurtful terms are...