National Heart Month

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Just kidding, that’s in February but got your attention! Honestly, I laughed when I read a research paper published in the European Society of Cardiology. The researchers created a supermarket trolley set to help diagnose common heart rhythm disorders and prevent stroke. So, you go grocery shopping and as you push your cart the handle performs a heart check on …

Staff Recruitment, Retention and Competency

Angie SzumlinskiNews

“The long-term care workforce crisis is well documented. Large numbers of vacancies in professional and direct care positions create significant obstacles for providers and workers committed to delivering high-quality care. Adding fuel to an already raging fire is the difficulty of attracting new talent to long-term care and retaining employees once they are hired. These difficulties are exacerbated by demography, …

Fire!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

In the first week of June 2023, there were two news stories regarding fires in assisted living centers. One of the fires was apparently caused by an unattended candle but thankfully the sprinkler system inside the building kept it at bay. That said, more than 50 firefighters responded to this event and 30 residents had to be evacuated.   The second …

Clean Air

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Even way back in 2003, the CDC made it very clear that environmental associated infections in health-care facilities were a concern. They published guidelines that were evidence-based and included:  Infection control impact of ventilation system and water system performance  Environmental infection control measures for special areas with high-risk residents  Use of airborne-particle sampling to monitor effectiveness of air filtration and …

My Aching Head

Angie SzumlinskiNews

We have all had a resident fall sustaining a significant head injury requiring hospitalization, simple right? What about the resident who is observed on the floor with no outward signs of injury? What do we do then? This is not a trick question but can be tricky all the same. A physical assessment with neuro checks is performed, all good, …

When the Fat Lady Sings

Angie SzumlinskiNews

On again, off again, the same old song, one we have been living since the beginning of the pandemic, right? You remember, update your policy today and shred it tomorrow or sometimes later the same day! Mask, don’t mask, vaccinate, don’t vaccinate, test, don’t test, whew, it can be exhausting! It is no wonder everyone is confused!  The most recent …

Human Trafficking

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Headline “Man, Woman arrested in connection with prostitution ring out of Livingston County hotel.” The man is charged with “transporting a person for prostitution,” bond set at $10,000/10%. Is that enough or will he be out on bail overnight? What exactly is “human trafficking?” The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended (TVPA), defines “severe forms of trafficking in …

Leadership and You!

Madeline SmallNews

When people work alongside a truly authentic leader, they’ll often give their whole hearts and minds to the cause. In these situations, a spirit of teamwork and loyalty can spread throughout an organization, resulting in higher morale and greater productivity.  To influence others, you need to have great interpersonal communication skills, know how to manage conflict effectively and problem solve …

Delirium – Coming to a Resident Near You!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Delirium can be a distressing process for residents and family members. Picture this, daughter comes in to visit mom every week however, today, mom cannot think very clearly, cannot pay attention, and is not aware of their environmental surroundings. Daughter, rightfully so, is concerned and wants to have mom’s urine checked for a UTI. Sure, the root cause of many …

Imagine the Possibilities

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Imagine, being diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Imagine being 41 years old with this diagnosis. Devastating to say the least, especially since even the latest recommendations for breast cancer screening aren’t until 40 years of age. Interesting. But wait, there may be hope for others!  The CDC identifies 3 “Tier 1” conditions that are “genetic syndromes” with a …