Given the growing older population, chronic disease management will continue to be a major focus of the government, health insurers and providers. Historically, the care system consisted of multiple silos with minimal integration, leading to...
Antibiotic treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria is one of the key contributors to antibiotic overuse in long-term care. The guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) suggest that antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic...
The assisted living memory care (ALMC) population presents with specific needs and challenges. Recognition that inadequate hydration and nutrition intake is associated with numerous common quality indicators such as falls and re-hospitalization...
A systematic review by Seitz showed the median prevalence of dementia in nursing homes was 58%, and the median prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) was 78%. This study highlighted the need for staff to be able to...
Behaviors and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are problematic to caregivers. The Adaptive Behavior Assessment and Intervention Tool (ABAIT) is a BPSD management algorithm and personalized intervention program on an electronic platform that...
Since 1997, Medicare has implemented a Prospective Payment System [PPS] for a covered Skilled Nursing Facility service using a prospective, case-mix adjusted per diem payment rate. This methodology has evolved to capture compensation for staff,...
Pain identification and management for patients with dementia can be a challenge given difficulties with communication and atypical presentations. Recent review of the CIHI data for this LTC site showed a trend towards an increase in the QI...
Falls have been an ongoing and reportable problem in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Moreover, falls can lead to serious physical, psychological and financial consequences for residents, their families and the staff. Each resident has individual...
Patients with complex cardiopulmonary disorders pose unique challenges to acute and post-acute care teams. They present with multiple comorbidities, are at high risk for hospital readmission, and struggle with adherence to their treatment regimens...
Though the cost of health care is rising, and our aging population is becoming more medically complex, hospital length of stays are shorter and the utilization of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) has increased. A large proportion of patients...
