Article

Emergency Preparedness Is Also a Burden for Long-Term Care

The burden for emergency preparedness compliance continues to fall more heavily on long-term care. While the rest of the continuum can review programs on a biannual basis, long-term care providers continue to be required to review the emergency program on an annual basis.

April 01, 2021

Article

Long-Term Care Has a Big Problem with Infection Control

The coronavirus pandemic has made the vulnerability of American long-term care facilities even more obvious. Not only are residents more susceptible to infection due to age or disease, but the very nature of the facilities, from structure to care delivery, makes it easier for diseases to spread.

April 01, 2021

Article

How to Become a Nurse Leader

Just like in other professions, nursing must have people who are in charge, ideally, these clinicians have natural leadership skills and finds themselves gravitating naturally towards leadership positions. This post looks at what a nurse leader does and the education required to become one.

April 01, 2021

Article

Stressful environments during COVID-19 risk increased substance abuse and domestic violence

The conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to dangerous environments for at-risk victims, driving increases in substance abuse and domestic violence.

April 01, 2021

Article

Notes from the Pandemic Front Lines - Oregon Veteran’s Home & the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Edward C. Allworth Veterans’ Home in Oregon was ready and waiting when COVID-19 to arrive on its doorstep, thanks to a comprehensive, far-reaching plan of action. Learn about their preparations and experience.

April 01, 2021

Article

Woman's Hospital

Woman's Hospital utilized CEPath as an incentive for full-time staff to gain interest in the program. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, resulting in a large number of self-enrollments and course completions.

April 01, 2021

Article

How a D.C. Health Provider Attained Zero Serious Safety Events for OB

One of the largest healthcare providers in the D.C. area achieved zero OB serious safety events after implementing HealthStream's Quality OB program.

April 01, 2021

Article

What’s Involved in the E/M Coding Changes Coming in 2021

The Long overdue change in E/M Coding applies to the two sets of codes used for physician office billing, for new and established patients. The code level is assigned depending on the complexity of the visit, and documentation will connect closely to the patient care provided.

April 01, 2021

Article

Social Isolation and Loneliness, Common COVID-19 Impacts, Are Linked to Depression

Much of the U.S. population has experienced some level of isolation since the beginning of the pandemic. A broad body of research links social isolation and loneliness to both poor mental and physical health.

April 01, 2021

Article

Falls with Injury Are a Significant Problem for Long-Term Care Residents

The consequences of falls for frail elderly residents can be serious, having a significant impact on subsequent quality of life and ability to function. Even when no injury occurs, the resulting fear of the impact of a future fall can lead to a decrease in activity.

April 01, 2021

Article

CMS Nursing-Home Survey Replaced Annual Survey, Provided Window into COVID-19 Operations

In early 2020, CMS revised its survey process for long-term care facilities to focus on COVID-19 awareness and preparedness. What do facilities need to know?

April 01, 2021

Article

3 Ways HealthStream’s ePortfolio Supports Nurses

HealthStream’s ePortfolio offers a complimentary and convenient way for nurses to celebrate and present their professional story on demand.

April 01, 2021

Article

Unintended Impact of Focused Dementia Care Surveys

Under the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care, providers will continue to see focused dementia care surveys that pay special attention to usage of antipsychotic medication therapies.

April 01, 2021

Article

Long-Term Care Is Not Happy with the Abuse Icon on Nursing Home Compare

Nursing Home Compare now includes an icon for facilities cited for issues related to nursing home abuse or neglect. While the goal of this new alert is to prevent abuse and neglect of residents, its application may go too far and discourage care for people who need it badly.

April 01, 2021

Article

CMS E/M Coding Changes Developed with American Medical Association (AMA)

The E/M coding evolution was crafted in tandem with an American Medical Association (AMA) editorial panel, which created a workgroup to review the reporting guidelines and code descriptors for these codes. Giving back time to doctors and putting patients first were both goals.

April 01, 2021

Article

Five Signs Revealing the Impact of Spreading COVID-19 on Mental Health

While the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic weighs differently on each person, there are specific ways it is impacting the mental health of most individuals around our world. are five indications that COVID-19 is pushing the U.S. toward a mental health crisis.

April 01, 2021

Article

Culture Change—How to Foster Agility

With the stress on the medical profession growing every day during the early days of the pandemic, it became clear that the ability to credential and privilege providers as quickly as possible was of the utmost importance. Agility and automation played a key role.

April 01, 2021

Article

The Open Payments Database: Not Just for Doctors Anymore!

The kinds of providers included in CMS’s Open Payments database will be expanded on January 1, 2021. This will impose new compliance requirements on healthcare providers, professionals, and applicable manufacturers and group purchasing organizations.

April 01, 2021

Article

Using Antipsychotic Drugs in Long-Term Care Is Too Common

Use of antipsychotic medication in long term-care can be accompanied by serious side effects. A concerted effort is being made to reduce their use because “nondrug interventions appeared to be more effective than medications in reducing agitation and aggression in people with dementia.

April 01, 2021

Article

Despite COVID-19 Challenges, Long-Term Care Still Favored by Demographic Trends

COVID-19 is inspiring some creative solutions to the isolation imposed by COVID-19 on residents. Demographics tell us this sector will continue to be important despite current challenges.

April 01, 2021