Risk Management

3 safety concerns to consider in long-term care

Wherever patients are treated, their safety needs to be ensured. ECRI Institute has compiled a list of safety concerns for healthcare organizations that long-term care providers can benefit from. Read More »

Workplace violence: OSHA updates guidelines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration updated its guidelines for preventing and reducing incidents of violence in healthcare settings. Read More »

Spring into safety

Maintenance and housekeeping staff are the first line of defense in keeping residents and staff safe, healthy and secure in a long-term care environment. Read More »

Several Connecticut nursing homes are fined by state

Abuse, non-reporting of incidents and slow response to a resident in pain are the basis for fines handed down by the Connecticut Department of Public Health in February. Read More »

Customer service excellence includes employees

What if we approached our employees using the same principles we apply to customer service? Benefits include a reduction in injury claims and employee retention. Read More »

The security vulnerability assessment

Your first step in creating a secure facility is to engage a healthcare security professional to take a hard look at your long-term care operation to offer recommendations and solutions to security issues. Read More »

When privacy matters

There are times when a resident just needs to be alone. But can what goes on behind locked doors compromise safety? Read More »

Sprinkler systems save lives

Two recent fires—one a tragedy, one a triumph—prove the wisdom of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate to require sprinkler systems in skilled nursing facilities. Read More »

Is a lift assist a community emergency?

One community finds its firefighters performing assistance tasks that should be addressed by caregivers or staff at skilled nursing facilities. Read More »

Alarms: A safety must or maybe?

A skilled nursing facility in a New York hospital has removed bed/chair fall alarm systems to becoming an alarm-free care setting in an innovative program to improve residents' quality of care and quality of life. Read More »

Don’t get caught in the OTC medication maze

Supplements and “natural” products are flying off the shelves of America’s drug and health stores. Are they hype or health? Read More »

4 steps to protect residents from financial fraud

The federal government has produced a free guide to help senior living operators and staff members combat the financial exploitation of residents, which has implications beyond those you might expect. Read More »

New CPR requirements issued for nursing homes

Having a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) policy for a nursing home is one thing, but having CPR-certified staff on hand is another. Read More »

Accident investigations improve safety, Part 2

In part two, Wilder explains why an accident investigation must be thorough, unbiased and informative to be effective.  Read More »

WISQARS: CDC online resource for injury data

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention database offers tools and information on the impact of fatal and nonfatal injuries. Read More »

Risk management resource is launched

New website offers the latest information on risk management topics to keep your staff, residents and organization ahead of accidents or injuries. Read More »

Locked out of the med cart

Not everything goes the way it should, which can be frustrating. Here’s how one nurse managed to finish her med pass. Read More »

PA nursing home acts quickly and locks down facility

A Pennsylvania nursing home acts quickly in response to threats. Read More »

Residents moved from nursing home to ensure safety

Evacuation from a skilled nursing facility wasn’t because of a tornado, a fire or flood. Because of a concern for resident safety, a New York nursing home put its evacuation plan into action. Read More »

Accident investigations improve safety, Part 1

Part one of a two-part series focuses on the benefits of conducting thorough accident investigations. The lessons learned help create safer workplaces. Read More »

Top 10 bed bug cities in America

Don’t pick up hitchhikers, especially those that are difficult to see. Bed bugs like to travel. New data from Orkin names the leading destinations on a bed bug’s itinerary. Read More »

Managing wounds via EHR has numerous benefits for one SNF

Implementing an electronic health record system and integrating an automated wound management solution into it has resulted in numerous benefits for one nursing and rehabilitation center. Read More »

Joint Commission launches new infection prevention portal

The Joint Commission has gathered all of its online resources relating to infection control and healthcare-acquired infections in one place. Read More »

The move to improve hand hygiene compliance

As the number of influenza cases increase across the country, using recommended hand hygiene protocols helps prevent the spread of flu viruses and other healthcare-associated infections. Read More »

Charting with a jury in mind

How well does your nursing staff know your facility's protocols on charting? Legal expert Alan C. Horowitz explains why poor documentation can be a risk to both resident care and liability. Read More »

Electric wheelchairs: A potential safety hazard

Regular maintenance and inspection are keys to reducing potential fire hazards in long-term care facilities and for the elderly and/or those with disabilities who reside in the community. Read More »

Top 10 blogs of 2014

Blogs about safety, marketing and resident quality of life were hot for the brand's readers, website visitors and social media friends and followers this year. Read More »

How to protect residents from scams

Con artists never take a holiday, and their favorite targets are seniors. What should your organization be doing year-round to educate residents on being "savvy shoppers and donators" and to help protect them from becoming victims of telemarketing scams and financial fraud? Read More »

Quality improvement wins providers accolades from AHCA/NCAL

More than 7,400 long-term and post-acute care organizations nationwide have achieved at least one goal in an AHCA/NCAL program. Read More »

Forging long-term care and home health partnerships

Building partnerships with companies offering strategic services can increase your business, improve operations, track data and increase referrals. Read More »