Viral illnesses have been on the rise this winter across the U.S., with norovirus – or stomach bug – infections nearly doubling from a year ago. Nursing home infection prevention experts are suggesting bringing back certain common sense protocols to curb spread of disease in nursing homes. Each year, over half of all norovirus outbreaks […]
Category: Staffing
In the aftermath of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) response to a pending lawsuit against the federal minimum staffing mandate, nursing home sector experts are stressing that legally defeating the mandate – and effectively canceling it – remains crucial. “The section [in HHS’s response] relating to the limitation on the relief is […]
A federal judge has rejected a request to temporarily stop the implementation of the federal nursing home staffing mandate in a much-awaited ruling issued Thursday. Judge Leonard T. Strand of the U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa found that the preliminary injunction – sought by 20 states, 17 LeadingAge affiliates and two Kansas nursing home facilities […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) compiled an ambitious checklist of changes for the nursing home industry as part of its 2025 mission and priorities document released this week, but a lack of details on staffing-related issues and infection protocols is raising concerns about a fair survey process. Surveyor guidance was a major […]
While 2025 remains a bit uncertain due to the federal staffing mandate and a new White House administration, leaders in the nursing home industry plan to continue working toward improving quality of care, addressing workforce challenges and advocating for fair regulation and reimbursements. Clif Porter, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association/National Center […]
While many providers offer a continuum of care for older adults, Trilogy Health Services CEO Leigh Ann Barney describes the company as something of a “unicorn” in its commitment to offering a full continuum — including skilled nursing — at scale. Indeed, the commitment to skilled nursing as part of a larger continuum is part […]
The Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) will be adding eight facilities from Providence Home and Community Care across four states: Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. This marks the first time the San Juan Capistrano, California-based company is expanding into Alaska and Oregon, Ensign Chief Investment Officer Chad Keetch said in a statement. This brings Ensign’s growing […]
The American Health Care Association, LeadingAge and other nursing home stakeholders involved in the lawsuit against the federal minimum staffing mandate filed their final argument against the rule late on Friday, asking a federal judge to deny the federal agency’s cross-motion for summary judgement. Given that a judgement is expected early in the new year, […]
It’s no surprise that the Biden administration’s minimum staffing mandate was the source of Skilled Nursing News’ most-read story of 2024. From the proposal stage to its final form, our stories on the staffing mandate covered all aspects of its requirements as well as the legal and legislative challenges against it. Our stories about the […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued details on a national staffing campaign for the nursing home sector, aimed at increasing the number of nurses working in nursing homes and at state agencies that inspect nursing homes for compliance. The campaign continues the initiatives outlined in April, which ties $75 million funded […]
The nursing home industry has been on a wild ride this past year, with major regulation up in the air and a flip in the White House leaving operators unsure of whether they should applaud or brace for impact. Rhetoric surrounding the federal minimum staffing mandate has changed drastically throughout the year, with leaders condemning […]
Tim Lehner steps in as Signature HealthCARE’s new chief operating officer (COO), effective Jan. 1, the Kentucky-based nursing home company announced Thursday. Lehner, a veteran leader in the long-term care sector, most recently served as Consulate Health Care’s CEO, a role he took on this year. At Consulate, Lehner oversaw initiatives in technology integration and […]
Nursing home leaders are anticipating big changes to the sector with President Donald Trump’s inauguration drawing closer. The federal staffing mandate is likely to be on the chopping block, as Republicans eye $22 billion in savings if it is delayed or stopped. However, operators must balance this win, among potential others, with the incoming administration’s […]
New reporting requirements related to acute respiratory illnesses for nursing homes will take effect on Jan. 1, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Nursing homes must report data related to, but not limited to, the flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The rule essentially replaces existing reporting requirements. Questions pertaining […]
Frontline staffing has gotten a bit easier for nursing home providers, with a stronger influx of job candidates. But competition in the sector is so strong that a new hire might leave for a better opportunity before long. With this as the backdrop, onboarding has become a particularly crucial time for operators to implement retention […]
Surveyors will be evaluating for compliance in new ways, as a result of nursing home survey changes for 2025. While significant, these changes reflect federal initiatives that associations and operators have been seeing for some time now. Nursing home providers are parsing through recent, significant changes to the survey process and trying to grasp the […]
Nursing homes could offer a crucial bridge to recovery for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD), but stigma, regulatory hurdles and funding challenges limit their potential. Researchers have highlighted policy solutions to ensure nursing homes can meet the needs of a growing and aging population with OUD, as part of a study led by Patience […]
In the latest development related to litigation against the federal nursing home staffing mandate, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is urging a federal judge to deny the injunctive relief requested by 21 state attorneys general and several providers. The DOJ on Nov. 21 filed a memo with the U.S. District Court for the Northern […]
Programs to cultivate leaders in the nursing home space, including the administrator-in-training program (AIT), are being challenged by rapid turnover and the need for better reimbursement and support systems. But, a focus on company culture, offering of diverse pathways for those seeking leadership positions, and a willingness to show prospective leaders a behind-the-scenes look, makes […]
Indiana-based Journey Skilled Nursing acquired eight nursing homes in Georgia, selecting the facilities for their dedication to quality care and strong community connections. These additions to Journey’s growing footprint in the skilled nursing space were announced last week and further strengthen the fledgling company’s presence in Georgia. Journey, which launched in March, already operates Dublin […]
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