Dominick Bailey sat at his computer, scrutinizing the medication lists of patients in the geriatric unit.
A doctor had prescribed blood pressure medication for a 99-year-old woman at a dose that could cause her to faint or fall. An 84-year-old woman hospitalized for knee surgery was taking several drugs that were not meant for older patients because of their severe potential side effects.
And then there was 74-year-old Lola Cal. She had a long history of health problems, including high blood pressure and respiratory disease. She was in the hospital with pneumonia and had difficulty breathing. Her medical records showed she was on 36 medications.
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New treatment may prevent antibiotic-resistant facility ‘superbugs’
A first-of-its-kind treatment to prevent bacterial skin infections could play a vital role in the fight against “superbugs” in healthcare facilities, a new study finds.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom used proteins found in human cells called tetraspanins to make it more difficult for bacteria to attach to skin wounds such as bedsores and pressure ulcers. Use of the protients has been proven to effectively treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to the report.
Read more here- http://www.mcknights.com/news/new-treatment-may-prevent-antibiotic-resistant-facility-superbugs/article/513342/
Be Inspired: to Provide Quality Care
Learn how Mississippi member Pine View Health Care Center is excelling in the areas of the AHCA Quality Initiative by focusing on their teamwork approach.
Skin Failure: A New Diagnosis
Skin is the largest organ of the human body; yet, while people talk about “kidney failure” or “heart failure,” practitioners or others seldom refer to “skin failure.”
According to Jeffrey Levine, MD, AGSF, CMD, CWSP, a New York-based physician and frequent speaker and author on wound care, “skin failure should be considered as a diagnosis in advanced chronic illness as well as in situations when patients are approaching death.” This is consistent with the recognition that many chronic illnesses worsen over time and increase the likelihood of comorbidities and decreased functional status.
Source – http://www.providermagazine.com/news/Pages/2016/0716/Skin-Failure-A-New-Diagnosis.aspx
AHCA’s 30 second spot called Positively
New Measures to Impact Five-Star Ratings on July 27
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported yesterday that starting on July 27 at 10 AM ET the Quality Measure (QM) component of the Five-Star Rating System will reflect five of the six new QMs that are currently featured on Nursing Home Compare (NHC). In March the agency announced this and other changes. For a summary of that presentation and a list of the new measures, click here.
Source- http://www.longtermcareleader.com/2016/07/new-measures-to-impact-five-star.html
93-Year-Old Nurse Retires After 72 Years on the Job
A 93-year-old South Dakota woman has finally hung up her nurse’s cap after more than seven decades in the medical field.
Last month, Alice Graber celebrated her retirement from the Salem Mennonite Home in Freeman, South Dakota, where she worked for over 20 years.
I told them that [a party] wasn’t necessary and the director, Shirley Knodel, she said, ‘Oh no, we’ve got to do something here for you,'” Graber told ABC News today. “I [had fun] because of all the people coming and going that congratulated me. It was almost overwhelming.
Source- http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/93-year-nurse-retires-72-years-job/story?id=40666497
What Caregivers Need To Know About Aging Eyes
Exams for early detection of diseases afflicting the eyes are imperative to reducing unnecessary vision loss.
With the aging of the baby boomer generation, the growing prevalence of eye diseases and vision loss has become a major public health concern. As such, directors of skilled nursing care, assisted living, and rehabilitation centers need to be equipped with science-based information to educate and train staff on key eye health issues affecting their residents and patients.
Measuring Data at the Facility Level – AHCA NCAL
Dr. Solange Vivens of Unique Residential Care Center in Washington, D.C. discusses how the facility measures quality through data.
CMS Offers Help With New Staffing Data Requirement
When families come together to make the important and often difficult decision of moving a loved one to a nursing home, they want the peace of mind that their family member is getting the best care they need to stay healthy. That includes knowing that the facility has sufficient highly trained staff to devote to all residents.
We at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also believe that staffing is a vital component of a nursing home’s ability to provide quality care. That’s why nursing home staffing information is listed on the Nursing Home Compare website, where families making these important decisions can research the quality of facilities in their communities.