Memory Care: 9/11

Twenty-two years ago, 9/11/2001, my day began as most did back then. I got up, read the paper, turned on NBC local news as it would move then, to the Today Show. I ate my usual breakfast (something light) and drank a cup or two of coffee. My wife had left for Madison (WI) where … Read more

Friday Feature: Quality and the Revenue Connection (2019 version)

I’ve written a lot over the years about understanding the unique connection between quality care and the systems to support its delivery, and revenue. Arguably, the most successful provider organizations understand that impeccable quality of care (delivery, outcomes, patient satisfaction) begets high occupancy (referrals) and preferential payer mix (quality mix). Of course, the inverse relationship … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Fall is Coming!

After a few days of mid-summer weather (90s, humid), my calendar says fall is right around the corner, even if the weather doesn’t. I love fall. It’s my favorite time of year. Living in the upper-Midwest, fall can be just spectacular. Soon, the days will be warm and the evenings chilly. Woodfire smoke (not the … Read more

SNF Performance Update – Occupancy, etc.

No other segment of senior living/senior care got rocked as much by the pandemic as skilled nursing. Frankly, the industry had challenges from labor shortages and lagging reimbursement entering the pandemic (2020). The pandemic didn’t just accentuate these issues, it blew them up in terms of magnitude (impact) while adding supply chain issues, inflation, and … Read more

CMS Releases Rule on SNF Staffing Mandate

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! This morning, CMS dropped a proposed rule for a staffing mandate for SNFs. On Wednesday, I wrote about the delays (staffing mandate) and the information from a CMS contracted study completed by Abt and Associates. That post is here: https://wp.me/ptUlY-LM The consensus around the staffing mandate issue is that CMS was bogged … Read more

Friday Feature: Buffet on Management and Boards of Directors

I ran across this yesterday in a publication I get called Becker’s Hospital Review. I recall seeing much of the content before and really liking it. It is from famed investor and Chair of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet. It is content from his letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders from years back, 1977 to be exact. … Read more

News and Upcoming Quality Program

Yesterday, I wrote a post regarding health systems and providers looking at finding efficiencies and, in some cases, cutting staff – particularly at the administrative and executive levels. Providers are being tasked with making do with less as the economic headwinds remain stiff, even gale force in some cases. Part of the challenge for providers … Read more

Friday Feature: The Benefit of R&R

I’ve been rather busy lately and my wife’s side of the practice (compliance, litigation), very much so. Suffice to say, as the two prime partners and owners of H2 healthcare, we work collaboratively and support each other. In other words, her “busy” is mine too and vice-versa. So today, I’m setting aside for catch-up and … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Best Medicine

There is an age-old adage that laughter is the best medicine. I concur. We as a society, have lost our sense of humor (and our collective common sense). We take everything too seriously. No wonder depression is “up” along with loneliness. There used to be sitcoms on TV that were really quite funny. Not much … Read more

Friday Feature: COVID and Liability Insurance Coverage

A practice concentration within my business, H2 Healthcare, LLC, belongs to my wife who is also, the firm’s Senior Partner and co-founder and co-owner. The practice area is compliance and a strong focus within, is litigation support/expert witness/forensic nursing. My wife is frankly, one of the foremost clinical compliance (nursing) experts in the nation, supporting … Read more