Guest Columns

Decrease costs and boost morale by fostering a culture that prioritizes infection prevention and control

By

Buffy Lloyd-Krejci, DrPH, CIC

Aug 07, 2023

Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, infection prevention and control (IPC) in long-term care facilities was usually relegated to the sidelines. If it was focused on at all, IPC often fell squarely on…

Back to school: Building LTC career ladders

By

Molly McCullough

Aug 04, 2023

Long-term care is in a pivotal moment. With the senior population growing exponentially as baby boomers require more intensive care, skilled and long-term facilities will require an influx of nurses and…

Occupational therapy and sleep, the missing ADL

By

Renee Kinder

Aug 03, 2023

The sleepover hangover is a telltale sign of summer in our home. Teenagers up and out way too late with friends, hopefully staying out of trouble and then crashing until 2 p.m. the next day. Little ones…

Are you a good shepherd?

By

Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC

Aug 01, 2023

I think most people are familiar with Psalm 23. It’s the one that starts with “The Lord is my shepherd,” talks about walking in the shadow of death… you know, that one.  If you don’t go…

The urgent need for better grief support for SNF management

By

Frances M. Hawes, Ph.D.

Jul 31, 2023

Grief and loss are a natural part of life, and they are particularly prevalent in nursing homes where residents often have advanced age and multiple health conditions.  Data from my recent research…

Got a wicked problem?

By

Martie Moore

Jul 28, 2023

Tom Wujec opens his talk with a statement: “Tell me about a wicked problem, and I will help you make toast.” He uses toast-making to help people understand the nodes and links within a system….

An unwelcome warning

By

Gary Tetz

Jul 27, 2023

While plodding a narrow, precipitous path high on the flank of Mt. Rainier this week, I saw a father and his young daughter approaching on the trail. She was an adorable child of maybe 4 or 5, all decked…

Infection control without adding staff — it’s not just a fluke

By

Mary Cole

Jul 26, 2023

In a recent letter to leaders in Congress, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) highlighted the “astonishing lack of attention to infection prevention and control…

Facts don’t support attacking nursing home care

By

Brendan Williams

Jul 26, 2023

We can probably assume no House Select Subcommittee will stage a showy hearing to examine the recent finding that the excess mortality rate was better during the COVID-19 pandemic for those with dementia…

Are we done with COVID? Is COVID done with us?

By

Jean Wendland Porter

Jul 25, 2023

At last. I haven’t worn a mask in public in months, I’m starting to see friends again, I’m eating in restaurants again, and my new normal is the old normal. Life is good.  There’s some hesitation…

Creating a culture of teamwork to prevent hospital transfers

By

Arif Nazir, MD, CMD

Jul 24, 2023

As a physician leader in post-acute and long term care settings, most of what I do aims to empower, coach and motivate teams to prevent unwanted hospital transfers. I confess that initially, many years…

AI is everywhere! Addressing the legal risks through contracting

By

Neville M. Bilimoria

Jul 21, 2023

You can’t look in the news or see social media posts each day without hearing about artificial intelligence in healthcare. In fact, the advancements in AI in healthcare are making leaps and bounds, seemingly…

Caregiver training CPT codes proposed for CY 2024

By

Renee Kinder

Jul 20, 2023

The newly released CY 2024 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule holds exciting news for therapists and caregivers.   We have three new codes to be used for reporting the total duration…

Leaders, how stable are you? Really?

By

Julie Thorson

Jul 19, 2023

Quick. Without overthinking, does your mind go to a positive or negative space when you hear the word “stability?” Answer, please. As I tripped going down my stairs today, I cursed myself for not…

Three wishes

By

Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC

Jul 18, 2023

This year’s annual NADONA conference was typical in all the good ways — but also extra special in an important way everyone can appreciate.

Why healthcare cybersecurity should be a top priority

By

Joel Landau

Jul 17, 2023

In the healthcare sector, cybersecurity has quickly emerged as the most significant vulnerability.  Skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care centers are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks…

Insurgence of leveled contracts

By

Susie Mix

Jul 14, 2023

By now, we’re all pretty familiar with the fact that managed care is altering the post-acute care payor mix with Medicare Advantage plans. This is a byproduct of national policy, intended to offset our…

The unstoppable power of an activity director

By

Gary Tetz

Jul 13, 2023

A cherished senior (otherwise known as my dad) was lying in a hospital bed having a horrible day/week/month/year when the recreation therapist showed up.  Her name was Tiffany, and along with her…

Calling for a trauma-aware culture in long-term care

By

Kelseanne Breder

Jul 12, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently updated the Rules of Participation to require that long-term care facilities provide trauma-informed care to residents. Failure by LTC staff to recognize…

It’s Independence Day y’all!

By

Joel VanEaton

Jul 11, 2023

I love summer and especially the July 4th holiday. In the small town where I live, we have an event called “Jonesborough Days.” It’s a two-day celebration with a parade, food vendors, music, fireworks…