Although it’s still early, this policy seems to have had an effect. A recent New York Times article outlined the efforts of hospitals across the country that have seen success in reducing hospital readmissions by adopting changes to discharge planning including: Identifying patients who are at highest risk of readmission Follow-up nurse visits to patients’ homes Proactively ordering patient prescriptions and scheduling follow-ups Patient and caregiver education Culturally specific diet tips Transportation to for patient follow-up appointments Increased monitoring of nursing home patients Of these efforts, patient education is one the most important. Taking prescribed medicine properly is essential to…
The Department of Health and Human Services finds– nursing homes across the Nation are not meeting regulations. An investigation found nearly half of all facilities are not meeting care requirements. So, it begs the questions– how can you make sure your elderly loved ones are safe? For instance, at the Quail Creek Nursing and Rehab Center. Workers were caught on camera, abusing a patient– slapping her in the face with latex gloves and shoving them in her mouth. Whether you choose in-home care or a nursing facility, ask questions that will help you find the safest option: Ask about hiring…
Skilled nursing facilities (SNF) are required to develop a care plan for each beneficiary and provide services in accordance with the care plan, as well as to plan for each beneficiary's discharge. These requirements are essential to ensuring that beneficiaries receive appropriate care and safely transition from one care setting to another. Several OIG studies and investigations found that SNFs had deficiencies in quality of care, did not develop appropriate care plans, and failed to provide adequate care to beneficiaries. In fiscal year 2012, Medicare paid $32.2 billion for SNF services. This study is part of a larger body of…
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