Contemporary Long Term Care articles from January 2007

Contemporary Long Term Care archives from January 2007

Let's not make the best of it.(OFF THE TOP)(changing face of health care facilities)(Editorial)
January 1, 2007... I remember vividly the very first nursing home I ever toured. It was a gracious old house with sweeping porches and castlelike turrets flanking each side of the facility. Inside was the usual hubbub of a nursing home: Call bells ringing,...

Report finds need for electronic medical records in long-term care.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Brown University released a study on the importance that information technology has for sustaining the future of long-term care, according to a university press release. The study, Out of the Shadows: Envisioning a Brighter Future for Long-Term...

Doughnut hole persists in 2007.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(prescription coverage decreases)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Although the number of Medicare Part D plans available will increase in 2007, the majority will not provide full prescription coverage in the nearly $3,000 coverage gap also known as the doughnut hole, stated the Henry J. Kaiser Family...

CMS issues final rule on blood glucose billing.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Bad news abounded for SNFs that bill for frequent blood glucose tests in the 2007 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule. Effective January 1, under the rule, physicians must certify the medical necessity of each blood glucose test...

Six SNF portfolios sold for $1.4 billion.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Formation Capital Corp. sells six senior housing portfolios to GE Healthcare Financial Services)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... In June 2006, Formation Capital sold six senior housing portfolios to GE Healthcare Financial Services for $1.4 billion, according to a Formation Capital press release. After months of negotiations, GE acquired 186 SNFs with more than 21,000...

CMS heats up hand rub requirements.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... CMS issued a final rule for fire safety requirements regarding alcohol-based hand rubs and smoke alarms in nursing homes September 22, 2006. Effective October 23, 2006, nursing homes must maintain alcohol-based hand rub dispensers according to...

CMS publishes Medicare handbook for 2007.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services releases Medicare and You 2007 )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Nursing homes can now access state-specific information to help residents review their Medicare coverage options and enroll in new plans with The Medicare & You 2007 handbook, a CMS press release stated. The handbook, made available in October...

CMS issues photography guidelines.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... For states choosing to use photographic evidence to support noncompliance during the survey process, CMS issued guidelines on September 29, 2006, for state agencies to follow. Effective immediately, surveyors who decide to use photographic...

The fun continues.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)
January 1, 2007... CMS' 2007 Nursing Home Action Plan lists the following F-Tag guidance revisions: Action Plan Release date Medical director (F-Tag #501) Completed Influenza and pneumonia (F-Tag...

Quality indicator survey process in the wing.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... CMS is currently piloting the Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) process, which includes an online, off-site review of a SNF's records before surveyors arrive. During the American Health Care Association annual conference this fall, CMS'...

New flu and pneumonia quality measures come out.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... On October 13, 2006, CMS released four new flu and pneumococcal quality measures for both chronic and postacute care residents. The target period of Minimum Data Set selection for the flu shot measures covers October 1, 2005, to March 31, 2006,...

Briggs captures MarCom award.(INDUSTRY UPDATE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Briggs[R] Corporation was among the winners of the 2006 MarCom Creative Awards, the renowned international competition sponsored by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The MarComs, which are awarded in 22 categories...

The calendar.(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... Conferences March 8-9 American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators National Conference Philadelphia www.aanac.org March 19-21 American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging Future of Aging Services...

All charts, all the time on your PDA.(WHAT'S NEW)
January 1, 2007... AccuMed Services introduces Chart2Go, a personal digital assistant (PDA) application with short ROI by recapturing case-mix dollars from MDS underscoring. Web-based report cards demonstrate increased CMI/ADL scores. The application includes...

Easy IV disposal now.(WHAT'S NEW)
January 1, 2007... EPS[R], Inc., is pleased to release three additions to its expanding line of IV disposables. Three sizes of disposable disc filters are now available: 0.2 micron, 0.45 micron, and 1.2 micron. All EPS Disposable Disc Filters are hydrophilic and...

Clean surfaces with Sani-Cloth.(WHAT'S NEW)
January 1, 2007... PDI[R], a provider of high-quality premoistened wipe delivery systems for the healthcare market, offers Sani-Cloth[R] Bleach Wipe, the newest member of the Sani-Surface[TM] family of products. Sani-Cloth Bleach Wipe is a stabilized bleach...

State of the art support with EasyStand.(WHAT'S NEW)
January 1, 2007... Altimate Medical is proud to introduce EasyStand Evolv, the next generation of its current EasyStand Series. Transfers into the EasyStand Evolv are easier because of its wider seat and open base. Its most noteworthy change is in the lifting...

Complete room settings from La-Z-Boy.(WHAT'S NEW)
January 1, 2007... La-Z-Boy Healthcare, the sister division of La-Z-Boy Contract Furniture, has introduced a number of new products, including a new recliner series, a new bariatric chair, and a new sleep chair--which together will comprise an attractive and...

Glow-in-the-dark helper.(WHAT'S NEW)
January 1, 2007... Crest Healthcare Supply is pleased to announce DuraGlo[TM]. This is the only call cord in the industry with glowing bands to help residents locate their call cord in dark rooms. DuraGlo requires no power to glow--it works with any nurse call...

The ARD dilemma: how assessment reference dates became even more crucial in the new RUGs environment.(CLTC VIEWPOINT)(Resource Utilization Groups)
January 1, 2007... It's been a year since refinements to the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) went into action. Because the refinements represented a major change that required some important modifications to facility processes, this...

The industry speaks predictions for 2007 ... and beyond! Welcome to Contemporary Long-Term Care magazine's crystal ball. More than 30 of long-term care's best and brightest offer guidance, advice, projections for the new year, and even a little soapbox philosophy--all in the name of giving you a head start on what's sure to be another wild and woolly year in our industry.(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... WHAT NEW REGULATIONS DOES CMS HAVE IN store for 2007? How should nursing homes handle all these F-tag revisions? What are the industry's representatives in Washington doing to advance the long-term care agenda on Capitol Hill? What will the...

A word from senator Bob Kerrey.(Interview)
January 1, 2007... Funded by the American Health Care Association, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, the National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care convened in October 2004. It...

Is it easy being green? Tracking the latest developments in Green House senior living: its state-of-the-art, homelike residences have only been around a few years, but in that time, the Green House[R] project has become one of the long-term care industry's most compelling design developments.
January 1, 2007... Born of Dr. William H. Thomas' Eden Alternative[TM] concept in the 1990s, the first Green Houses opened in 2003 in Tupelo, MS. They established what is now the Green House design paradigm: single family--size residences homing 10 or fewer...

Taking the pulse of healthcare IT.(Survey)
January 1, 2007... As providers of frontline medical care, nurses across the healthcare spectrum are in unique position to offer critical feedback about the use of information technology (IT) in the clinical setting. This feedback can help healthcare...

Precious cargo: tips for the safe transportation of residents.
January 1, 2007... Having staff available to accompany residents to doctors' appointments and group activities is important. But ensuring that the same staff are trained in transportation safety is a facility's number-one priority. When it comes to safely...

Sprinkler regulations raise alarm: proposed regs require systems in all nursing homes.
January 1, 2007... Nursing homes across the country will need to install automatic sprinkler systems throughout their buildings under a new regulation proposed by CMS. CMS published a proposed rule in the October 27, 2006, Federal Register that would require...

Make your DON your strongest link: getting the most from your DONs and charge nurses.(directors of nursing )
January 1, 2007... When owners or administrators spot exceptional nurses on their staffs, they typically ask those nurses to become the facility's directors of nursing (DON). However, those nurses receive no education in management and no guidance to do the job....

Beat germs handily: preventing infection with clean hands.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention )
January 1, 2007... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in 2002, laying out a comprehensive standard for hygiene and infection control. Following is a compilation of its instructions. Infection...

Safe and easy cleaning with Bleach Wipes.(PRODUCT INSIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Alcavis International, Inc. Bleach Wipes make cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment safer and easier. The 1:100 and 1:10 dilution wipes guarantee the correct dilution of bleach and are compliant with CDC regulations. They are...

Milnor washers: durable, easy to use, rugged.(PRODUCT INSIGHT)
January 1, 2007... Milnor has introduced a new line of cabinet-style washer-extractors with 20-lb and 40-lb (9-kg and 18-kg) capacities. These machines are part of Milnor's new MWR line, and they offer durable construction, an easy-to-use control, extremely...

AVT MondoVap for long-term care facilities.(PRODUCT INSIGHT)
January 1, 2007... The Advanced Vapor Technologies TANCS[R] MondoVap Steam Vapor System meets the challenge of cleaning and disinfecting quickly and safely in long-term care facilities--from exam rooms to restrooms and showers, and from bedrails to wheelchairs,...

Let's get it on ...(BREAKROOM)(oldsters enjoying at a nursing home )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... If it's salacious and completely unbelievable, it's probably in the Weekly World News, which recently turned its sardonic gaze on our corner of the industry. "Nine oldsters booted out of nursing home--for trying to have an orgy!" reads the...

Survey.(BREAKROOM)
January 1, 2007... The following poll was conducted through CLTC Weekly, our online Web site. Head to www.cltcweekly.com for the latest in long-term care news. Which of the new or upcoming State Operations Manual revisions has you most concerned? 4%...

Congratulations!(BREAKROOM)
January 1, 2007... Congratulations to Debbie Belt, RN, and Terry Slieff, RN, both of whom were HCPro booth prize winners at fall 2006 conferences! Debbie, from the Illinois Health Care Association in Springfield, won a lobster dinner from Legal Sea Foods at...