Nursing Homes

Browse past and current articles from this publication.

Our changing marketplace.(editorial)
Can you imagine a day when no one will live in a healthcare facility, when all older or disabled individuals live at home, even people with Alzheimer's Disease? Can you see a time when long-term inp . . .

Why MedPAC is so stingy.(VIEW ON washington)
It appears that skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) face the likelihood of entering 2009 with the same Medicare reimbursement rates that exist today, as policymakers in Washington take the approach th . . .

"People today are looking for community ...".(ENVIRONMENTS FOR AGING)(Interview)
Sometimes to really evaluate change you need perspective--and the broader and deeper the perspective, the better. It would be difficult to exceed the long-term care perspective of Maria Dwight, who . . .

Visioning urban revitalization: an architectural firm "wows" a Milwaukee design charrette with its vision for a senior-friendly
In spring2007, a team of AG Architecture employees gathered to participate in a weekend charrette called "Aging in Community--A Senior Housing Ideas Competition." This event was sponsored by the Uni . . .

Multisensory room and specialized dementia programming.(TRY THIS ...)
In 2006, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance for activities that specifically directed facilities to improve activities for residents with Alzheimer's disease and . . .

Creating a successful workforce culture: hiring--and keeping--committed staff.(coverfeature)
Few would argue that turnover in long-term care has been out of control for a long time, despite repeated research projects and surveys examining the needs and desires of staff. For decades, the ind . . .

Communications technology goes formal.(featurearticle)(Interview)
Recent years have seen the beginnings of a boom in technologies designed to support seniors' health and well-being in various settings, ranging from private homes to nursing and assisted living faci . . .

Rewarding leadership: the ACHCA annual award; For the second year, top-performing facilities in Quality Measure rankings will be
Achieving a universally recognized state of quality in a long-term care facility is certainly no simple feat. From the sheer challenge of implementing established standards of quality criteria, to m . . .

The current state of EMRs in LTC settings: exploring the health information technology link in improving patient care and outcom
Long-term care (LTC) requires hands-on support and care from frontline workers--the human element in caring for a frail, aged population. While the important role of these frontline workers will nev . . .

The problem with root cause analysis: it's a buzzword that can very easily become meaningless because not all problems have a si
Root cause analysis has become an important quality assurance method for identifying problems encountered in long-term care. Without a doubt, it is critical to identify and isolate issues that can l . . .

Is your infection control program effective?(LIABILITY landscape)
It is well known that the elderly population has a substantially increased incidence and severity of many infectious diseases. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates . . .

Investigating abuse: when it's one person's word against another's.(DON's CORNER)
One staff member reports another staff member for abusing a confused resident, but there are no other witnesses and no physical evidence of abuse. What do you do? Many nurse executives have had to f . . .

?Como se dice 'multicultural'? Understanding your multicultural workforce.(YOUR people)
When Michael walks through the halls of his facility, he has trouble understanding what his staff members are saying. It's as if they're speaking a foreign language--and they are. Michael's situatio . . .

AANAC'S pps review: questions & answers from the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators (AANAC).(inperspective)
Q: Our therapist coded too many minutes on the MDS in item P1b--about 2,000 too many. The MDS was submitted to the state, but we caught the error before the billing went out. Do we do a Significant . . .

OH, by the way ...(inperspective)
Like the great TV detective Columbo, Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management columnist Gary Tetz (Funny You Should Ask) always has one more question. In this bimonthly feature, he talks with long-te . . .

Employee scheduling software.(PRODUCT focus)
With version 10 of Atlas Business Solutions' Visual Staff Scheduler Pro (VSS Pro), users can schedule personnel more easily and efficiently than ever. They can now rotate schedules and apply schedul . . .

Zinc bandage.(PRODUCT focus)
Graham-Field's Medicopaste[R] Bandage is a zinc-impregnated, latex-free, premium gauze bandage used to help in the healing of venous stasis ulcers. It can reduce and control edema, and improves bloo . . .

Time and Attendance reporting.(PRODUCT focus)
Count Me In is a computerized time clock that combines the power of Fingerprint ID with easy use, providing the perfect Time and Attendance solution. Punch in using a fingerprint; the computer-gener . . .

Washer-extractors.(PRODUCT focus)
Milnor has introduced a new line of cabinet-style washer-extractors with 20- and 40-lb. capacities. These machines are part of Milnor's new MWR line and they offer durable construction and an easy-t . . .

Wound dressing.(PRODUCT focus)
SilvaKollagen[R] Gel, "Smart Silver"[TM], available from DermaRite, is a natural, safe, and effective medical hydrolystate of collagen with silver. SilvaKollagen provides an environment that encoura . . .

Bleach Wipes.(PRODUCT focus)
Alcavis International, Inc., provides a time-saving, convenient method for surface decontamination and disinfection. Bleach-Wipes provide a consistent and accurate concentration of bleach in a predi . . .

Free software enhancements.(PRODUCT focus)
American HealthTech provides ongoing value improvements to the software modules its customers have already paid for. These enhancements to existing modules are updated at no additional charge. Over . . .

Online learning reporting tool.(PRODUCT focus)
Upstairs Solutions LTC has released an enhanced reporting tool for its online learning management system. With the updates, users can set up automatic training reports to be received by e-mail, enab . . .

Wet mopping system.(PRODUCT focus)
Using Direct Supply's Microfiber Cleaning System to mop floors can kill up to 60% more bacteria than traditional mopping. The system's "one pad per room" design means that you'll never clean your fa . . .

Skin and wound gel.(PRODUCT focus)
Elta[R] SilverGel[TM], a clear anti-microbial skin and wound gel from Swiss American, releases silver as demanded by the bioburden of the wound. Tested to kill for at least 3 days, Elta's SilverGel . . .

Wheelchair washer.(PRODUCT focus)
Medco Equipment's all-purpose automatic wheelchair washer cleans and sanitizes up to 20 wheelchairs in an hour, with a 99.9% reduction of bacteria after one wash. The all-purpose washer also sanitiz . . .

Continuing education test #127 * based on Nursing Homes February 2008.(CE test)
How to use this self-study program * Take the Pre-Test before you begin to read this issue of Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management. * After reading the articles, complete the Test and Evaluat . . .

Watch for a Quality Indicator Survey coming near you.(SURVEY survival)
This year will see the expansion of a federal demonstration program that could lead to greater consistency and, hopefully, improvement in the state survey process. Initiated in 2005, principally in . . .

Here we go again.(editorial)
It's deja vu: Nursing homes do something apparently awful. Government comes in with a big stick and hits them over the head. Nursing homes ask for it. Government responds with a knee jerk. It's the . . .

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
Editor's note: V. Tellis-Nayak, PhD's October column, "Disenchantment among LTC leaders--and its toll on quality," hit home with many of our readers. The column explained some of the findings of a s . . .

Statistics don't lie, but ...(PAUL WILLGING says ...)
Statisticians--that's another story. And when politicians use statistics to achieve their particular policy goals--well, watch out! That observation wouldn't surprise many students of the Washingt . . .

Serving up hospitality through Community Initiatives: extraordinary experiences, exciting possibilities for older adults are off
Based in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago, Mather LifeWays is a not-for-profit organization that enhances the lives of older adults by creating Ways to Age Well[SM] through senior living re . . .

Open up to the option of automatic doors: advice from the manufacturers' association.(featurearticle)
For the many residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities who face physical and/or mental limitations, automatic doors can provide independence and improve safety. While automatic doors . . .

Around the world in 60 minutes: 2007 OPTIMA Award ceremony for Ballard Healthcare.(featurearticle)
Activities departments have been known to treat residents to experiencing specific international "days"--a day in Mexico, a day in France, and so on. And facility staffs have been known to respond c . . .

Thanking employees for a job well done.(NOT-FOR-PROFIT report)
At the Penacook Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, managers keep a careful eye on all their employees--not to criticize, but to reward. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An innovative incentive progr . . .

The fluid and electrolyte balancing act.(LIABILITY landscape)(Disease/Disorder overview)
Dehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte imbalance in the elderly, regardless if the person lives in the community or in a healthcare facility. Some risk factors for resident dehydration . . .

AANAC'S pps review: questions & answers from the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators (AANAC).(inperspective)
Q: Regarding coding of assistance with bathing: According to the RAI User's Manual, you code the highest level of assist given in the past seven days. In theory, therefore, if someone received a tot . . .

OH, by the way ...(inperspective)
Like the great TV detective Columbo, Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management columnist Gary Tetz (Funny You Should Ask) always has one more question. In this bimonthly feature, he talks with long-te . . .

Big moves with little effort: bariatric equipment specialist Janet White discusses the benefits of mechanical lifts to reduce ca
Ten years ago, it was generally believed that simple tools like gait belts and drawsheets combined with correct biomechanics were sufficient to minimize the potential of back injuries when moving pa . . .

Bariatric Bed.(focus on BARIATRICS)
NOA Medical's Bariatric Bed with a safe working load of 750 lbs is designed to accommodate 98% of all bariatric patients. The 42" wide by 80" or 84" long sleep deck is constructed of ultra-strong re . . .

Mobile lift.(focus on BARIATRICS)
With a safe working load of 704 lbs., the ARJO Tenor, a bariatric mobile lift and sling solution, covers a range of tasks, transfers, repositioning, and emergency floor lifts. The Tenor is designed . . .

Bariatric wheelchair.(focus on BARIATRICS)
The Invacare 9000 Topaz wheelchair is designed to meet the unique and growing needs of bariatric residents. The Topaz combines the strength and durability of a carbon steel frame with the comfort of . . .

Full-Electric Bed.(focus on BARIATRICS)
The Zenith[TM] Full-Electric Bed, from Graham-Field, is a versatile, 500-lb capacity bed that is designed to meet long-term care clinical requirements. From a low 7.9" to a high position of 30", the . . .

Spa system.(focus on BARIATRICS)
The Penner Cascade Premier Spa provides affordable elegance with a TV, DVD, and CD player. You design the colors to create a spa-like bathing atmosphere in your bathing area. The Premier cabinet pro . . .

Bariatric Ceiling Lift.(focus on BARIATRICS)
Medcare Bariatric Ceiling Lifts provide a complete lift, position, and transfer system for resident handling. To the bedroom, bathroom, or even the pool, the possibilities of track placement are end . . .

Bariatric seating.(focus on BARIATRICS)
Claflin Equipment Sales and Service offers a heavy-duty 500-lb capacity #6191 Platform Rock (shown) and #502C Queen Anne Wing Back Armchair. Claflin's entire Contemporary, Traditional, or Transition . . .

Rolling chair.(focus on BARIATRICS)
The Carefoam Model 530 Bariatric Tilt Rollabout features a 400-lb capacity in a 24" seat width, yet still moves through a standard doorway. Large wheels roll easily even over carpet and the tilt-in- . . .

Services Guide.(Directory)
Introduction Welcome to the Special Purchasing Guide devoted exclusively to Services. Similar in format to our annual BUYERS GUIDE, this targeted Services Guide will direct you to companies prov . . .

Continuing education test #125 * based on Nursing Homes December 2007.(CE test)
How to use this self-study program * Take the Pre-Test before you begin to read this issue of Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management. * After reading the articles, complete the Test and Evaluat . . .

Technology for restorative programs.(LTC mall)
Space Tables, Inc., offers adjustable fiberglass tables that accommodate wheelchairs and ensure proper positioning for all long-term care residents. Available in three sizes and a variety of colors, . . .