Risk Management

Senior housing industry experts create quality care organization

Two long-term care industry leaders join forces to create Innovative Health LLC.  Read More »

OSHA inspections add focus on nursing risks

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration expanded its inspections to include musculoskeletal injuries related to patient or resident handling and four other risks to nurses. Read More »

Fire at Mexico nursing home kills 16, injures 5

A fire ripped through a nursing home in Mexicali, Mexico City, this week, killing 16 residents and injuring five others Read More »

Practicing emergency color codes

Code Blue, Code Gray, Code Red, Code White... Do your clinical and administrative staff practice color-code emergencies? Read More »

Elder abuse shelter opens in Detroit

Elder abuse is an often underreported crime because seniors are reluctant to act or don’t know how to seek assistance. Read More »

Ducking disasters

Every facility has a disaster plan. But are you preparing your staffers to keep the "little stuff" from becoming big crises? Read More »

The laundry quandary

Clothes that maintain their color, size and shape please residents and their families and also provide visible evidence to prospective residents of the quality of care and services you provide. How do you satisfy staff members and regulators, too? Here are some ideas. Read More »

Plan for a tornado emergency

No strangers to severe storms, two long-term care execs at an Oklahoma CCRC pose four questions about preparing for this natural disaster. Read More »

Partnerships@Work: Airing out infection control

In our latest Partnerships@Work installment, a Connecticut long-term care community teams up with an infection control company to reduce the site’s “closed days” and curb the spread of airborne infection risks. Read More »

Nursing home false claims allegations settled with $3.8M payment

Two California nursing homes persistently overmedicated residents, causing infection, sepsis, malnutrition, dehydration, falls, fractures, pressure ulcers and, for some residents, premature death, the federal government maintains. Read More »

A deadly fire sweeps through nursing home in Central China

The importance of complying with fire suppression regulations in U.S. nursing home facilities is underscored by a recent report of a Chinese nursing home destroyed by an undetermined blaze. Read More »

HIPAA privacy meets BYOD

Communication devices are everywhere. Indiscriminate use of “bring your own device” policies can threaten privacy for residents and your organization. Read More »

RTMS adds QM tool to analyze quality data on the fly

Real Time Medical Systems launches a quality measures tool to complement its flagship analytics solution. Read More »

Cognition and gait: How the brain thinks about balance

Exercising your brain may have as much to do with gait and balance as exercising your legs—and race may play a factor, too, says a recent study. Read More »

A case of scabies

Caregiving and assistance with activities of daily living in institutional settings require close body contact. If unknown rashes appear, implement infection control procedures. Read More »

Sudden weight loss may be a precursor to frailty

Frailty is not an inevitable consequence of aging. For some older Americans, however, weight loss can contribute to dependence on mobility devices and more assistance with ADLs. Read More »

Hurricane Sandy: A lesson in survival

Extraordinary events call for extraordinary measures, especially in caring for special populations. Evacuation is more than simply staying “high and dry.” Read More »

Bites and stings can be serious

Flying and crawling critters are not just seasonal, and to them, humans are a very tempting buffet. Sometimes the consequences of being a feeding zone require professional care. Read More »

Enjoy warm temperatures with an eye toward safety

Be “heatbusters” for your residents, visitors and staff by taking a few precautions and keeping a watchful eye for signs of heat-related health effects. Read More »

FDA rule requests safety, effectiveness data on OTC topical antiseptics

Gels, liquids or wipes—hand hygiene is encouraged everywhere. Healthcare professionals know how vital hand sanitation is in preventing the spread of infection. Read More »

Stanley adds support program for resident monitoring systems

A leading resident monitoring solutions company adds a comprehensive support program to improve security through better implementation. Read More »

Patient handling, falls and violence top occupational injuries of healthcare workers

Nurses and aides incur more on-the-job injuries than physicians, dentists, interns and residents, according to data examined by the Occupational Health Safety Network. Read More »

5 steps to a total security solution

A completely secure long-term care environment only can be accomplished with thoughtful planning and performance. Take five steps to keep residents, staff, visitors and property safe. Read More »

Fall ends in death at an Illinois nursing home

A serious fall can happen at any facility, but an incident at a nursing home in southwest Illinois underscores the need for vigilance to keep residents safe. Read More »

Identify and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Although cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are more common during the winter, vigilance is needed year round when fuel-burning appliances are in use. Read More »

Nursing home negligence?

Negligence has specific legal definitions—and personal injury lawyers love to muddy them. Long-Term Living legal blogger Alan C. Horowitz, RN, JD, explains what nursing homes can do to protect themselves. Read More »

Study: Do ‘soft’ floors reduce falls?

Trips, stumbles and falls can result in serious injury, especially for an older adult who might have balance issues or improper footwear or who might be using a cane or walker incorrectly. Read More »

Workplace violence: A continuing concern of nurses

The American Nurses Association seeks public comment on its draft proposal of recommendations to prevent violence to ensure workplace safety by April 30 deadline. Read More »

Sudden power outage

Losing electricity is an inconvenience for most people, but for individuals with special needs or compromised health a power outage can be very stressful and potentially dangerous. Read More »

Severe storm leads to East Texas nursing home evacuation

An East Texas nursing home sustains damage from severe storms on Thursday. One person perishes in Illinois tornado. Read More »