I do not think that anybody would disagree that creating a culture to support QAPI efforts begins with leadership. Support from the top is essential, and that support should foster the active participation of every caregiver.   The administrator and senior

The evolution of quality improvement philosophies in health care includes such models as MBO, Theory X, Theory Y, QA, QA&A, TQM, CQI, PI and the newest philosophy—QAPI.  Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes are required

President Obama has signed into legislation the American Taxpayer Relief Act and I want to share with you the relevant therapy provisions: No 2% sequester cut to Medicare providers The SGR fix is extended through December 31, 2013 The legislation does not preclude

While we all anxiously await the coming of a new year and what actions Congress will take related to impact on Medicare, Nursing Homes and Therapy Services, there is one thing we can prepare for now.  Each year the U.S.

Causes of acute change of condition in a resident residing in a skilled nursing facility can be categorized into either reasons that relate primarily to the resident’s current status or condition or reasons less directly related to the resident’s current

Facility procedures for ensuring recognition of acute changes in condition become the building block for managing those changes in condition and become the cornerstone for any program designed to prevent hospital readmissions within a skilled nursing facility.   Communication of all

Regardless of whether one is happy or not about the outcome, I think we can all agree that we are all glad the election is over.    Now perhaps we can focus attention on important issues facing long term care that

Attorneys from the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Vermont Legal Aid and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have agreed to settle the “Improvement Standard” case, Jimmo v. Sebelius. A proposed settlement agreement was filed in federal District Court

The final mandated report on “Improving Medicare’s Payment System for Outpatient Therapy Services” is due on June 15, 2013.  However, Congress has asked MedPAC to forward the recommendations in early- November so they are relevant to the discussion that will

A key component in any skilled nursing facility that is working towards preventing hospital readmissions is education of the caregiving staff on their roles and responsibilities related to the ability to identify acute changes in resident’s conditions.   Before the education