According to the CDC, one-to-three million healthcare-associated infections (HAI) occur every year within U.S. nursing homes. Reports also show that antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medication in facilities, with 6–10% of residents receiving antibiotics on any given day. However, 40–75% of those prescribed antibiotics may be unnecessary or inappropriate – causing risk of […]

To ensure adequate care is being provided to the more than 1.2 million people who reside in one of the 15,000+ certified nursing homes across the country, CMS continues to remain diligent in its oversight of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). During the COVID-19 pandemic, SNF regulations and surveys looked very different than what it is […]

During this two-day symposium focused on resident quality of care, Real Time's Angela Huffman takes on the topic of behavioral health and management. Learning Objectives Understand Federal requirements to meet behavioral health needs Describe the presentation of different types of problem behaviors and potential triggers Discuss the impact of routine and meaningful activities Identify evidence-based […]

According to a 2022 JAMA Network study, 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries discharged from the hospital receive post-acute care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) at a cost of more than $28 billion annually. Nearly one-quarter of those admitted to SNFs are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. With CMS seeking to improve patient […]

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) was created by CMS as a powerful tool for employing comprehensive evaluations and facilitating care management of Medicare-certified Skilled Nursing Facilities. With implications that affect patients, families, providers, and policymakers, recent updates to the MDS are designed to improve the reliability, accuracy, and effectiveness of the formulation and implementation of […]