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.

A Growing Problem

Angie Szumlinski Health, Training

Antibiotic resistant bacteria and C. difficile are a growing problem in healthcare. The large reservoir of MDRO and C. difficle found within nursing homes can become a source of transmission. Added to that, the population entering nursing homes have many risk factors which make them vulnerable to colonization and infection with these organisms. You can download our helpful inforgraphic that …

Electronic Medical Records and Medication Errors

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

Although many feel the electronic MAR is a solution to medication errors, a recent study performed by Australian Health Review 43(3) 276-283 and shared by the AHRQ may change your opinion! Yes, the electronic MAR may “notify” you when a medication is missed, late, unavailable, etc. however it isn’t without shortcomings! For example, this study found that incorrect medication dose or …

Discontinuing Statins May Increase CVD Risk

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

For years we have discussed discontinuing the use of statins due in part to the side effects our residents experience that can be debilitating. It may be time to take another look at what we are doing with these medications and why. The article published in Managed Health Care Connect references a nationwide, population-based cohort study in France (published online …

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Poised for Takeover of Medical Care in LTC

Angie Szumlinski Health, News

The healthcare workforce is expecting a startling shortage of between 46,900 and 121,900 licensed physicians by 2032. One group that may mitigate the catastrophic impact of this shortage could be advanced practice registered nurses. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) are prepared to offer a myriad of services including diagnoses and treatment due to their masters-level education. What Does This Mean …

FBI Investigating Nursing Home Fraud

Angie Szumlinski Legal, News

A recent podcast from FBI This Week covered the FBI’s identification and investigation of nursing homes that exploit residents. What Does it Mean to You? When as the last time you viewed your operations with a critical eye? Now may be the perfect time as the FBI has allocated increased resources to identify and investigate exploitation of residents financially. They …

Annals of Long-Term Care Releases Findings on Mealtime Best Practices

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

Clinicians and researchers have been providing the medical care community with experience and research that helps LTC facilities create detailed nutrition plans for a long a time, yet, malnutrition continues to be highly prevalent in LTC residents. This condition further degenerates the condition of often already enfeebled patients by decreasing quality of life, lowering functional status, reducing the wound healing …

Spirituality and Aging Groups Rising Star for Tackling Depression

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

On Lok, a San Francisco based comprehensive long-term health program for frail adults 55 and older, has been employing Spirituality and Aging Groups since 2013. The primary goal of these groups is to reduce depressive symptoms and increase overall quality of life for older individuals. The groups originated from a partnership between the in-house mental health team and the chaplaincy …

Doctors analyzing x-ray

Misdiagnosis Resulted in 34 Percent of Malpractice Cases Involving Serious Harm

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM) released new research that found inaccurate or delayed diagnoses are the most common, most catastrophic and most costly of medical errors. The study was published in the journal Diagnosis. Researchers found that about one in three (34 percent) of malpractice cases resulted in serious harm is due to an inaccurate or delayed …

Developing a Personal Electronic Device Policy

Angie Szumlinski Legal

ECRI has unveiled their guidance on the subject of Personal Electric Device (PED) policy. The report covers both basic topics, like what to include in such a policy and the procedures therein, and more in-depth concepts such as tracking and, if necessary, wiping phones if they are stolen or missing. Developing a policy is a relatively simple process if facilities …

Settling a Liability Case Early Impacts the Expense of a Claim

Al Hamlin Case Study

CASE STUDY Settling a case of liability early can greatly impact the indemnity and expense dollars of a claim. Settling a case of liability early, while leveraging causation arguments, all without incurring the expense of defense counsel and formal experts, is a true success story. Mary was a 91 year old widow when admitted for rehabilitation to a Five Star …