CMS arranged and paid for an investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to look at quality measures pertaining to Hospice which found troubling results. Previously, the OIG had identified "that 18 percent of all hospices in a nationwide survey had serious deficiencies, like failing to vet staff." The GAO report concluded that ..."eighty for-profits failed to send registered nurses, physicians or nurse practitioners to visit discharged patients even … [Read more...] about GAO Gives Troubling Report Regarding Lack of End-of-Life Visits by Hospice
The Butterfly IQ–Changing the Future of Medicine?
Replacing the stethoscope. https://youtu.be/q2S8NlTk_8I … [Read more...] about The Butterfly IQ–Changing the Future of Medicine?
DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced on Monday that is is taking steps to expand the number of federally authorized marijuana manufacturers for research purposes. In the three years since DEA first said it would be accepting applications for cannabis manufacturers, the agency has received 33 submissions. In a notice of applications set to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, DEA said the “unprecedented” volume of inquiries makes it necessary to develop new … [Read more...] about DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
Single-Patient Rooms Found to Decrease Hospital-Acquired Infections
An interesting story has been published by JAMA about this: "The move to single-patient rooms at the McGill University Health Centre's (MUHC) Glen site in 2015 resulted in significantly reduced rates of hospital-acquired infections, suggests a study published today in the highly respected journal JAMA: Internal Medicine published by the American Medical Association. A team at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) found that rates of both colonization … [Read more...] about Single-Patient Rooms Found to Decrease Hospital-Acquired Infections
Almost 1 Million Dollar Penalty for Nursing Home Leader in HUD Loan Default
Nursing home owners who have HUD loans should take note of this: A judge has approved a nearly $1 million penalty for the former leader of a nursing home chain after the company defaulted on $146 million in loans — the biggest default in the HUD federal mortgage insurance program’s history. Note the fact that and an individual was the target. … [Read more...] about Almost 1 Million Dollar Penalty for Nursing Home Leader in HUD Loan Default
Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is advocating future model state policies to resolve issues regarding banking issues for marijuana and for legalization of hemp and CBD: "Tasks forces of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a nonprofit that brings together conservative lawmakers and private sector stakeholders to draft and distribute model policies for consideration by state legislatures, discussed banking issues in the marijuana industry … [Read more...] about Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
New Hospice Provider Letter Warns Recoupment at Higher Routine Home Care Rate
On Augst 1, 2019, HHS posted a new provider letter entitled: Information Letter No. 19-14 Routine Home Care First 60 Days Recoupment of Overbilling on Routine Home Care First 60 Days. The purpose is as follows: The purpose of this letter is to inform Medicaid hospice providers that HHSC intends to review billing for routine home care (RHC) and recoup overbilling at the higher RHC rate. On January 1, 2016, HHSC implemented the changes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services … [Read more...] about New Hospice Provider Letter Warns Recoupment at Higher Routine Home Care Rate
CMS Opioid Guidelines: A Catch 22?
Can you be fined and have action taken against your license for following CMS Opioid guidelines? According to Modern Medicine Network, you can: "In a recent case, the New Hampshire Board of Medicine investigated a physician who is board certified in pain management and anesthesiology after cutting back a chronic pain patient’s prescription opioid painkillers. The patient had been on a dosage of 80 mg of OxyContin twice daily and 30 mg of oxycodone four times a day for many years. … [Read more...] about CMS Opioid Guidelines: A Catch 22?
Updates for Patient-Driven Model for Skilled Nursing Providers and the Plight of Rural Nursing Homes
CMS has announced updates regarding the new Patient-Driven Payment Model for Skilled Nursing Providers. “Skilled nursing providers will split an $851 million pay increase in FY 2020, following a final rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued late Tuesday.” This may help rural facilities which are struggling according to a different story: “The sole nursing home in a rural pocket of New Mexico has closed weeks after state efforts to … [Read more...] about Updates for Patient-Driven Model for Skilled Nursing Providers and the Plight of Rural Nursing Homes
Hurricanes, Nursing Home Administrators & the Cajun Navy
Hurricane season is upon us with all the attendant risks to nursing homes and their residents. Nursing Home Administrators should watch this new documentary about the Cajun Navy for some important lessons about what not to do...including slavishly following the dictates of the corporate office. Your license could be at jeopardy and you could be discussed in the next documentary, like an administrator is in this one. Make sure that your emergency preparedness plan is up-to-date and your staff … [Read more...] about Hurricanes, Nursing Home Administrators & the Cajun Navy
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