Change in federal guidelines may lower ratings despite level of care

The government is focused on staffing, no longer allowing facilities to report their own staffing levels. The measurements are now based on payroll reports.

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Exceptions made for hospice with regards to Tennessee’s new opioid measures

Requirements aimed at curbing Tennessee's opioid epidemic are among more than 150 new laws that kicked in Sunday.

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Senator calls for open VA nursing home ratings

U.S. Senator Doug Jones Tuesday filed an amendment that would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report on or before November 11 to the U.S. Congress on the ratings given to VA-run nursing homes.

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Despite new law, many Florida nursing homes lack backup power plan

Only 48 nursing homes and 91 ALFs have reported they have installed equipment and had state site inspections as required by new law this hurricane season.

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Oklahoma looks to hire nurses as health care inspectors

Hospitals, surgical centers, nursing homes, home health agencies and other medical providers have to undergo regular inspections if they want to receive payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

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Recent deaths cause authorities to halt admissions for Miami-Dade assisted living center

After two recent deaths, Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration has issued an emergency moratorium forbidding any new admissions at the Floridian Gardens Assisted Living Facility in south Miami-Dade County.

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Updated fall prevention guidelines recommended

In an effort to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in the elderly, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued new recommendations to prevent falls and fractures in older adults.

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MedPAC looks at post-acute care unified payment system

At its most recent public meeting, the commission heard a staff report on the basis for uniform outcome measures as part of such a unified payment model for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health agencies (HHAs), long term care hospitals (LTCHs), and inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs).

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LTCCC submits long-term care drug abuse report to UN

Inappropriate anti-psychotic drug use in U.S. nursing homes is “widespread” and requires immediate action, a report submitted to the United Nations alleges.

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Care coordination, info exchanges among gaps between PAC and LTC

Though performance measures are key for payment reform and sparking quality improvements, PAC and LTC settings have differing standards, leading to fragmentation, the National Quality Form said.

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