CMS Issues Historic Star Quality Rating System For Nursing HomesFor the first time in history, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released quality ratings for each of the nation's 15,800 nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Facilities are assigned star ratings from a low of one star to a high of five stars based on health inspection surveys, staffing information, and quality of care measures. The ratings are publicly available on the agency's Nursing Home Compare Web site at www.medicare.gov.
NMC Guidance For The Care Of Older People October 2008Following a period of consultation the NMC will publish its guidance for the care of older people in February 2009. The guidance is intended to make a positive difference to the way that older people are cared for in all care settings by promoting individuality, dignity, independence and choice. Around 300 people including nurses, carers and older people took part in a series of focus groups that were held around the UK in October 2008.
SeniorBridge Expands Services In South Florida SeniorBridge, a provider of professional services for individuals requiring care for chronic health conditions, is expanding its business in the South Florida area. It has acquired Naples Health Care Specialists, a well-established health care company headquartered in Naples, Florida. This makes SeniorBridge one of the largest providers of in-home chronic health care in the state.
CMS Releases Quality Ratings For U.S. Nursing Homes CMS on Thursday will post online the quality ratings of 16,000 individual nursing homes across the U.S. based on a one- to five-star scale, USA Today reports (Appleby et al., USA Today, 12/18). The ratings are based on data from state inspections, reports on staffing and quality measures.
Responding To Ice Storm, New England Oxygen Providers Mobilize To Ensure Safety Of Home Oxygen Patients Home oxygen providers in New England prepared for the deadly ice storm that struck last week and have responded with extra visits and contacts with patients receiving home oxygen therapy. An oxygen patient who uses an oxygen system that runs on electricity must have a back-up supply of oxygen that will last until power is restored. Oxygen therapy is critical to more than one million Americans who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Young Adult Carers: Should Society Be Comfortable With The Sacrifices They Make?As Christmas approaches thousands of young adult carers will once again face the emotional turmoil of juggling their commitments at home with going out and sharing in the festive celebrations. Their vital role in society and the dedication and sacrifices they make are revealed in a new report published into the lives of what has been described as a 'hidden' and neglected group of carers. Some of their personal experiences have been published in this report.
Dignity In Care, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, EnglandA new project at the Royal Free aims to promote the idea of dignified care across the trust. "Nurses are passionate about trying to deliver dignified care," said Mary Flatley, who is leading the project team. "This project aims to help clinical leaders improve patients' experiences within the trust by supporting the staff to deliver these clinical improvements.
Essentials Of Heart Failure Clinics Outlined In New StatementHeart failure (HF) clinics are an increasingly important approach to the treatment of patients with heart failure, yet there have been no published standards regarding the care provided by these specialized clinics. To address this gap, the Quality of Care Committee of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) has developed a consensus statement summarizing the rationale, goals, and components of HF clinic care.
Assembly Government To Seek Powers To Provide More Support For Unpaid Carers, WalesNew plans to increase support for people who provide care for frail and disabled relatives will be outlined today by the Welsh Assembly Government. Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas will unveil a Legislative Competence Order which will seek to give the Assembly Government powers to introduce legislation on carers, which is a One Wales commitment.
MedPAC Discusses Raising Payments For Hospitals, Tying Payments To Quality Of Care Hospitals could receive a full "market basket" increase in Medicare payments in fiscal year 2010, while payments to home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation centers could remain at current levels, according to draft recommendations discussed on Thursday by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission,
Hidden Casualty Of Economic Slide: Long-Term Care Health CoverageMany Americans have lost more than just retirement savings amid a year-long economic meltdown that has sliced the U.S. stock market's value by nearly half in a little over a year, a University of Illinois elder law expert says. Law professor Richard L. Kaplan says many older investors also may now be short of funds for costly long-term medical care such as nursing homes if their health fails during their golden years.
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