In a move designed to improve standards in long term care facilities, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed a measure earlier this year that requires nursing homes and other assisted living facilities to conduct criminal background checks on prospective employees, the Michigan Long Term Care Partnership Workforce Background Check. (WILX News) At the web site, Michigan Long Term Care Partnership, you'll find the text of the bill, legal guides, and information on the background check … [Read more...] about Mandatory Background Checks for LTC Employees in Michigan
Quality First Pledge
In the long term care industry, there is what's known as the "Quality First Pledge," containing seven core principles: Continuous Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Public Disclosure and Accountability Patient/Resident and Family Rights Workforce Excellence Public Input and Community Involvement Ethical Practices Financial Stewardship (Source: American Health Care Association) Harborside Healthcare, a long term care provider, released a quality report titled, … [Read more...] about Quality First Pledge
‘Unusual Incidents’ of Hurricane Rita
Sounds like an ominous title for a documentary, doesn't it? In many ways, it could be. All providers must follow the prescribed reporting guidelines when reporting "unusual incidents" associated with Hurricane Rita to the Consumer Rights and Services Division by calling 1-800-458-9858 (see PDF copy of provider letter). The reasons go without saying, but just in case: Proper reporting will assist in studying the effects of the hurricane on long term care providers and patients. The … [Read more...] about ‘Unusual Incidents’ of Hurricane Rita
Long-term Care Providers Must Deal with Hurricane Wilma
Providers are bracing themselves for another hurricane and more tough decisions. Nursing homes are faced with whether to evacuate patients, some connected to feeding tubes and oxygen tanks, or ride out Hurricane Wilma in place. From the Washington Post: The decision to stay or flee in the event of a hurricane can be difficult even for the able-bodied. But as the evacuations for hurricanes Katrina and Rita showed this year, the decisions made at nursing homes more likely could be a matter … [Read more...] about Long-term Care Providers Must Deal with Hurricane Wilma
“Don’t Get Stuck On Stupid, Reporters”
General Honore takes no guff from the reporters in New Orleans(HT Radioblogger): Honore: And Mr. Mayor, let's go back, because I can see right now, we're setting this up as he said, he said, we said. All right? We are not going to go, by order of the mayor and the governor, and open the convention center for people to come in. There are buses there. Is that clear to you? Buses parked. There are 4,000 troops there. People come, they get on a bus, they get on a truck, they move on. Is that … [Read more...] about “Don’t Get Stuck On Stupid, Reporters”
Here We Go Again: Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Rita is on its way and it's time for Coastal areas to think about their evacuation plans. The word on the street is that FEMA is starting to grab buses to evacuate the Katrina evacuees out of Houston. I have heard that bus companies are requiring payment up front from nursing homes. Things to be concerned about: 1. Chartering buses that end up being commandeered by FEMA or local authorities. 2. Are your local governmental entities working with nursing homes for Plan B in … [Read more...] about Here We Go Again: Hurricane Rita
Why Did This Happen?
The media is reporting the following: Authorities Wednesday began removing the remains of more than 30 people from a flooded nursing home in a suburban parish. The discovery at St. Rita's Nursing Home in lower St. Bernard Parish came as 25,000 body bags arrived at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. (Full story) On Thursday, the official death toll from Hurricane Katrina stood at 294, but that number is expected to rise dramatically. Mortuary teams with refrigerated … [Read more...] about Why Did This Happen?
PPAT Information On Katrina Relief Efforts
I received an e-mail with the following information from PPAT: Private Provider and Family Assistance: 1.) Mr. Chris Tilly, Executive Director of CARSA (Community and Residential Services Association) in Louisiana shared that several thousand providers have evacuated New Orleans, and a number of their group and community homes were destroyed by the hurricane. Housing is the most immediate need, it is estimated that it will take 6-8 months to rebuild or relocate these individuals … [Read more...] about PPAT Information On Katrina Relief Efforts
This Is Horrifying
New Orleans Doctors Plead for Help Sep 01 4:29 PM US/Eastern By MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Medical Writer news://newsclip.ap.org/TXJK10309011912@news.ap.org Doctors at two desperately crippled hospitals in New Orleans called The Associated Press Thursday morning pleading for rescue, saying they were nearly out of food and power and had been forced to move patients to higher floors to escape looters. "We have been trying to call the mayor's office, we have been trying to call … [Read more...] about This Is Horrifying
Joint Investigations of Abuse & Neglect in Nursing Homes
On March 22, 2005, DADS issued Provider Letter #05-13--Joint Investigation of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Allegations. This letter notifes nursing homes that DADS will notify local law enforcement of abuse and neglect allegations of the nature that statutorily requires DADS to investigate within 24 hours:A resident('s):health or safety is in imminent danger, orhas recently died because of alleged abuse or neglect or other complaint. orhas been hospitalized or treated in E.R. because of … [Read more...] about Joint Investigations of Abuse & Neglect in Nursing Homes
