Caralyn Davis
Caralyn Davis is a freelance writer specializing in the post-acute care sector. Email her at: caralynd@outlook.com.
Leveraging the Lab: Four Ways to Boost Infection Prevention (and Quality of Care)
Implementing an effective infection prevention and control program that includes a strong antibiotic stewardship program isn’t the sole p... Read More »
Antibiotic Stewardship: Revisit the Antibiogram to Improve Resident Care
In the Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Nursing Homes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies the ref... Read More »
SDOH Items on the MDS: Be Proactive to Avoid Staff—and Resident—Negativity
The new social determinants of health (SDOH) items that are being added to the MDS effective Oct. 1, 2023, can be shocking to nurse asses... Read More »
CDC: Behavioral Approaches Matter When Building Vaccine Confidence
In the Dec. 13, 2022, Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call and slide set (beginning on slide 44), the Centers for Di... Read More »
CMS and CDC Push Nursing Homes to Be More Proactive With COVID-19
In 2022, the largest spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths occurred in January and February, pointed out Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrat... Read More »
CMS Targets Vaccines and Work Restrictions as Staff COVID-19 Infections Skyrocket
In conjunction with community spread over the past few weeks, the number of nursing homes with new COVID-19 infections has increased. Read More » COVID-19 Testing in Nursing Homes: Are You Doing All Four Kinds?
Testing is one of the key tools that nursing homes and other postacute care providers have to prevent and contain COVID outbreaks. Read More » COVID-19 Trends in Nursing Homes Make CMS “Very Concerned”
A surge of COVID-19 cases among nursing home residents and staff combined with stagnant vaccination rates for staff is a warning sign. Read More »
Quality Skilled Nursing Notes in SNFs Require Management
The new focus on nursing documentation is consistent with the fact that many SNFs no longer provide straight therapy to Part A residents. Read More »
Management Skill Requirement: Work on Staff Resilience
Your residents need special care and attention during COVID-19, and so does your staff. Read More »
COVID-19 Emergency Prep: Are You Ready for What’s Next?
Learn how to develop a workable pandemic infection control plan that reduces the risk (and impact) of future COVID-19 outbreaks. Read More » CMS to Enforce Nursing Homes’ COVID-19 Reporting Effective June 7
A minimum of every seven days, nursing homes are now required to report COVID-19 information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read More »
CDC: Protect Staff With Underlying Conditions Against COVID-19
Staff at skilled nursing facilities and other senior care facilities risk serious illness if infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Read More »
Sexual Expression and Intimacy: How to Develop a Strong Policy
Providers should consider developing a resident-centered policy for the management of resident sexual activity - here are the guidelines to consider. Read More »
The therapy coding overhaul
CMS's recent changes to therapy code sets are rocking the provider world. This primer will help your facility transition to the new CPT codes and the new Medicare reimbursement rules that are coming next. Read More » 12 steps to reducing antianxiety/hypnotic meds
Want to extend the efforts to reduce unnecessary medications even further? Here’s how you can cut back on other behavior medications in a non-pharmacological way. Read More » 