Medication management is a process. Every center has their own way of managing this process whether it is manual, electronic or a combination, however, it is not a perfect process no matter how we do it. Sadly, 7,000 to 9,000 people die every year due to medication errors. Per the National Library of Medicine, the most common reasons for errors …
Several years ago, while performing chart reviews in a post-acute care center, I came across a nurse’s note that was amazing. The note went into great detail, how the resident was doing, complete vital signs, the resident’s appetite, bowel status, hydration, etc. I was so impressed that I talked to the nurse and told her “great job”! Later that day, …
I remember the President’s Physical Fitness program that was established by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 (yes, I am that old and I hate it), but even way back then, everyone knew how important staying fit was! There were seven tests you had to be successful at to earn the award: Pull ups (boys) or flexed arm hang for girls …
The Patient Safety Organization Privacy Protection Center (PSOPPC) was created to support the implementation of the Network of Patient Safety Databases (NPSD) as authorized by the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005. Healthcare providers submit patient safety event data to Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), who in turn submit standardized versions of these reports to the PSO Privacy Protection …
We all know that infection control guidelines taught us to wash our hands prior to donning non-sterile gloves and when you remove them, right? Well not so fast! In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, the outcomes related to washing versus not washing were the same. In fact, their conclusion was that a direct-gloving strategy without prior hand …
Shocking title, shocking truth! After years of educating, preaching, citing, and mourning, many centers continue to utilize unapproved, unsafe, devices on resident beds. If this isn’t you, congratulations, you are accepting the responsibility of providing appropriate care for your residents. If this is you, or worse if you aren’t sure, it is time to take action! In a recent article …
We’ve all been there; surveyors enter your center and go directly to the dietary department. On any given day this area in your center is fraught with risk. Think about it, staff pull the eggs out of the refrigerator to prepare breakfast and don’t put them back promptly, one and done citation. How about food storage? I challenge you to …
Whether you work in post-acute care, urgent care, an ER, a physician office, or home health, we all use stethoscopes, right? Well, a recent study published in PubMed made me shudder a little bit! We do it and we witness it every day, nurse takes a blood pressure and hangs the stethoscope around her/his neck. The doctor checks lung sounds …
Person-centered care plan, is it real or is it yet another buzz word? Person centered care planning (PCP) is a process directed by the person who receives the support, along with their chosen group of people, to create a vision for their future and organize the services and supports they need to achieve their goals. PCP focuses on the person’s …
Yes, the RED hand, the hand no one wants to see on their Medicare Care Compare site, right? In June 2023, Long Term Care Community Coalition published the results of a study “They Make You Pay”, How Fear of Retaliation Silences Residents in America’s Nursing Home. As “caregivers”, yes, that is you, it doesn’t matter if you are providing direct …
