By Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D. Garlo Ward, P.C. Posted Feb. 5, 2004 I've got those dishwasher blues�. Surveyors in the Houston region of TDHS put a facility in Immediate Jeopardy because while the surveyors were in the building the heating element in the dishwasher malfunctioned right in front of the dietary manager and the surveyors. All of the previous water temperatures had been at the correct level. This time, the temperature was shown to be 88, so the dietary manager stopped the … [Read more...] about Deficiencies of the Weird
Random Bits Learned From The IDR Process
First, if you are doing your own IDR rebuttal, make sure that every page from a resident's chart (even if it is a back page) has the resident's name and a date on it. Second, make sure the names and dates are legible.Many times, a facility's defense to treatment issues is the fact that the resident or responsible family members refused treatment or diagnostic tests. This defense will not fly unless you are able to demonstrate informed consent on the part of the resident or responsible family … [Read more...] about Random Bits Learned From The IDR Process
The Compassion of Hospice: Dame Cecily Saunders
I wrote yesterday of the passing of Dame Cecily, the founder of modern hospice. Today, I find a beautiful article by Wesley J. Smith about the purpose of hospice as envisioned by Dame Cecily. Click here to read the article. … [Read more...] about The Compassion of Hospice: Dame Cecily Saunders
Founder of Hospice, Dame Cicely Saunders, Dies
Dame Cicely Saunders has died in the hospice she founded.Dame Cicely Saunders, who died yesterday aged 87, was regarded as the mother of the modern hospice movement; at St Christopher's Hospice, Sydenham, south London, founded in 1967, she charted new approaches in techniques for treatment of the terminally ill, based on her Christian belief that no human life, no matter how wretched, should be denied dignity and love.--snip--Cicely Saunders first had the idea of creating a modern hospice in … [Read more...] about Founder of Hospice, Dame Cicely Saunders, Dies
Unintended Consequences
Back last November, I wrote about rumblings in Florida to require criminal background checks on prospective resident. In Illinois, they've apparently passed such a law and are now about to suffer the consequences:Emergency rules implementing the recently signed legislation require all 100,000 current nursing home residents to undergo a criminal background check and be checked against sex offender databases maintained by the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Corrections. The … [Read more...] about Unintended Consequences
A Discovery in the Fight Against Alzheimers & Dementia
The Washington Post is reporting that a new study may have identified a protein linked to memory loss:Some recovery of memory may be possible in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, suggests a provocative new study in mice that could help researchers open a two-pronged attack against the mind-robbing illness.The research shows a mutant protein named tau is poisoning brain cells, and that blocking its production may allow some of those sick neurons to recover. It worked in demented mice who, … [Read more...] about A Discovery in the Fight Against Alzheimers & Dementia
Arbitration Agreements–Good Case!
The Texas Supreme Court has issued a favorable ruling for Medicare providers who use arbitration agreements. In a case involving a Texas nursing home, the Court ruled that the trial court should have compelled arbitration. You can find the case by clicking here.The Court considered the question as to whether the Federal Arbitration Act should apply in the case or the Texas Arbitration Act. The Texas Act is not as favorable to providers as the Federal Act is because the Texas Act requires that … [Read more...] about Arbitration Agreements–Good Case!
CMS Instructs State Survey Agencies On Compliance Dates
A State or two in Region VI appear to be confused about what compliance date to assign when a facility clears on a revisit. Thus, CMS recently sent a Regional Survey And Certification Letter to all State Survey Agencies to clarify the issue. Click here to see the letter. It is suspected that the letter was prompted by a conversation between CMS and the unamed State Survey agencies that went something like this: "If you find deficiencies on an initial or annual visit, you are to send the … [Read more...] about CMS Instructs State Survey Agencies On Compliance Dates
Updates on Letters to Providers
Ipecac Requirements (Assisted Living and Adult Day Care Facilities)In a Provider letter Texas DADS tackles the issue of facilities stocking Ipecac for use as treatment for poisoning by inducing vomiting. Apparently, some in the Medical Field question its use and whether on not it should be removed from first aid kits. The letter notes that the use of Ipecac is currently being investigated by the FDA--though it is still available.The provider letter notes that the Texas Poison Center, however, … [Read more...] about Updates on Letters to Providers
Putting a Bull’s Eye On Your Back & Liability Insurance
Bulls EyeSid Rich with the Texas Association of Residential Care Communities is reporting in his newsletter that HB 850 has been introduced. The bill would mandate that nusing homes post signs indicating whether or not the facility carries liability insurance. The bill is pending in Committee.Sid Rich is concerned because he was the only long-term care lobbyist who showed up to oppose the bill. This is ridiculous. I agree with Sid when he argues that this is putting a "bulls-eye" on your … [Read more...] about Putting a Bull’s Eye On Your Back & Liability Insurance