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

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.

Source- http://www.providermagazine.com/archives/2016_Archives/Pages/0716/What-Caregivers-Need-To-Know-About-Aging-Eyes.aspx

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.

Source- http://www.providermagazine.com/columns/Pages/2016/CMS-Offers-Help-With-New-Staffing-Data-Requirement.aspx

Wound care: What’s new on an old problem?

Certified wound care professional discusses new definitions for pressure injuries that haven’t been used before.

In April, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) issued guidance on the terminology and rating of pressure injuries. As a recently-certified Wound Care professional, I found the new terminology arrived just in time.

Does your patient have a pressure sore? A pressure ulcer? A decubitus? No. Your patient has a “pressure injury.”

Source – http://www.mcknights.com/guest-columns/wound-care-whats-new-on-an-old-problem/article/502291/

Dangerous Urinary Tract Infections Common in Nursing Homes

Study found 1 in 20 residents developed a UTI in average month, but many facilities lack preventive measures

FRIDAY, June 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing home residents can often have serious effects, including delirium, debilitating falls and even fatal blood infections.

Now, new research finds the infections are common in nursing homes, often due to a lack of proper prevention.

Source- https://consumer.healthday.com/caregiving-information-6/nursing-homes-and-elder-care-health-news-501/dangerous-urinary-tract-infections-common-in-nursing-home-care-711612.html