Angie's Blog

HealthCap® USA

Angie Szumlinski, NHA, RN-BC, RAC-CT and BS

Director of Risk Management

Angie SzumlinskiMs. Szumlinski is a nationally-recognized leader in long-term care with experience as an Owner/Provider, Administrator, Director of Nursing, Corporate Quality Assurance Coordinator and independent consultant. Ms. Szumlinski conducts risk management visits at facilities across the country, touching every acuity level within the post-acute care spectrum. Ms. Szumlinski served as an Associated Board Member for NCAL, is a member of the AHCA/NCAL Quality Committee, NCAL Risk Management Committee, HCAM Legal/Clinical Committee and is a Senior Examiner/Team Leader for the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program. Ms. Szumlinski is a Nurse Planner for the HealthCap® ANCC accredited education program.

An Unfortunate Trend Among Seniors

Angie Szumlinski News

A six-month investigation by Kaiser Health News and PBS NewsHour finds that older Americans are quietly killing themselves in nursing homes, assisted living centers and adult care homes. Read the full article HERE.

Candida auris fungi, emerging multidrug resistant fungus, 3D illustration

CDC Issues Warning About Candida Auris

Angie Szumlinski News

Candida auris is an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat. Healthcare facilities in several countries have reported that a type of yeast called Candida auris has been causing severe illness in hospitalized patients. In some patients, this yeast can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, causing serious invasive infections. This yeast often does not respond to commonly used antifungal drugs, …

white pill on white background with bottle

Is Acetaminophen Safe for Older Diabetic Patients?

Angie Szumlinski Health, News

Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used analgesic drugs today. It is judged safe by the scientific community at large, but is also one of the most commonly overdosed drugs and the most common cause for drug‐induced hepatic failure. In order to challenge the results of recent studies that have suggested a relationship between therapeutic dosage of acetaminophen and …

E-cigarette Explosion in a Patient Room

Angie Szumlinski Compliance

The patient took a puff on the e-cigarette while she was receiving oxygen through her nasal cannula and sparked an explosion. The patient ripped off the nasal cannula, which had melted, and sustained first- and second-degree burns to her face and hand. Read about the case HERE.

At-Home Healthcare is Easier and More Affordable Than You Think

Angie Szumlinski Health

For many seniors with mobility challenges, jumping in the car and driving to a clinic is simply not an option. This means they either have to find someone to take them, use public transit, or call for an ambulance. A lack of transportation options can often leave seniors feeling like a burden on their loved ones or on the system, …

Close view of tablet pc with sketched medicine concept

10 Years and $36 Billion Later: How Electronic Health Records Have Failed Us

Angie Szumlinski Health, News

A study by Kaiser Health News and Fortune Magazine collaborated on a three month investigation into electronic health records in America. Here are the 5 key takeaways: Patient harm: Electronic health records have created a host of risks to patient safety. Alarming reports of deaths, serious injuries and near misses — thousands of them — tied to software glitches, user errors …

Influenza vaccine, syringe, and vials.

CDC Issues Health Advisory Regarding Influenza

Angie Szumlinski Announcements, Health, News

CDC reminds clinicians to have a high suspicion for influenza and recommends rapid antiviral treatment of high-risk patients with suspected influenza. Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this health advisory to notify clinicians that influenza activity remains high in the United States, with an increasing proportion of activity due to influenza A(H3N2) viruses, continued circulation …

Increased Fall, Hip Fracture Risk Among Patients With AD Pathology

Angie Szumlinski Health

Esther Oh, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explains why preoperative determination of Alzheimer disease biomarkers in older adults who break their hips and must undergo hip fracture repair surgery is important. Read the article HERE.