Author: Blake Caldwell

New York, NY—In the realm of skilled nursing facilities across the United States, a preventable epidemic is silently wreaking havoc, not through infectious disease, but through falls and fractures that significantly impact the elderly population they serve. Each year, an estimated 1.5 million residents in these care settings suffer from fall-related injuries, underscoring a crisis that calls for immediate attention and action. The consequences of falls among the elderly are severe and multifaceted, leading not only to physical injuries such as fractures, cuts, and bruises but also to a substantial decrease in their quality of life. More alarming, however, is…

New York, NY—The question of whether agencies have a place in nursing home staffing models has emerged as a contentious issue, as industry observers and experts argue that reliance on staffing agencies could be detrimental to the quality of care in nursing homes. With the ongoing staffing crisis in healthcare facilities across the nation, many nursing homes have turned to agencies to fill gaps in their workforce, often at a significant cost. A report published by the American Health Care Association highlighted a staggering statistic: nearly two-thirds of nursing homes are currently relying on temporary staffing agencies to maintain operational…

New York, NY—Skilled nursing facilities across the nation are facing unprecedented challenges in their efforts to contain deadly pathogens, a struggle that has put both patients and healthcare workers at significant risk. These facilities, which provide critical care to some of the most vulnerable populations, have been battling against a relentless wave of infection outbreaks, from the notorious MRSA to the emerging threats posed by novel viruses. The situation has been exacerbated by the aging infrastructure of many nursing homes, insufficient staffing levels, and the often inadequate training of personnel in infection control practices. The consequence is a heightened environment…

New York, NY—Amidst ongoing healthcare debates and a persistent staffing crisis, the industry’s trend towards prioritizing in-house training and development for temp workers has been celebrated by many as a one-size-fits-all solution. However, this approach raises significant concerns within nursing homes, potentially compromising the quality of elderly care and straining already tight budgets. For years, nursing homes across the country have relied on temporary staff to fill gaps, particularly during peak times or when facing staffing shortages. However, the move towards converting these temporary workers into permanent team players through in-house training and development, while well-intentioned, is not the panacea…

### New York, NY—In the heart of America’s bustling health care system lies a silent crisis that affects some of its most vulnerable members. Patients in skilled nursing facilities across the nation are facing what experts are calling a wound care crisis, leaving many to suffer needlessly amid a backdrop of stretched resources and understaffed wards. According to a recent report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, nearly 15% of nursing home residents suffer from pressure ulcers, a common yet preventable condition that can lead to severe complications if not properly managed. This statistic starkly underlines the broader…

New York, NY—Nursing homes across the country are facing a significant challenge in attracting and retaining dedicated staff, a crisis that has exacerbated as the aging population continues to grow. As these facilities scramble to maintain a stable workforce, experts warn that without a strategic intervention, the quality of care for some of the most vulnerable members of society could be at risk. The turnover rate in nursing homes is alarmingly high, with an average rate hovering around 50-75% for direct care staff, according to recent studies. This not only disrupts the continuity of care for residents but also places…

New York, NY—In a startling revelation that could upend the nursing home industry, a comprehensive investigation has unveiled that the skilled nursing quality system, used nationwide to rate and reward facilities, may be fundamentally flawed and susceptible to manipulation. This scandal puts at risk the integrity of a system millions of families rely on to make critical healthcare decisions for their loved ones. At the heart of the controversy is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System, which has been a pivotal tool for assessing the quality of care provided by over 15,000 skilled nursing…

New York, NY—The healthcare industry is undergoing a seismic shift as nursing homes abandon traditional staffing agencies in favor of the burgeoning Direct-Hire Revolution, a move that is raising alarm bells for many within the sector. This trend, ostensibly aimed at giving nursing homes more control over their staffing woes, is turning out to have significant unintended consequences that could fundamentally weaken the foundation upon which many of these critical facilities operate. In recent years, staffing shortages have plagued nursing homes across the nation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat this, many facilities have begun to adopt direct-hire practices,…

New York, NY—A rising wave of lawsuits across the country is challenging the use of arbitration clauses in the contracts of skilled nursing facilities, spotlighting the struggles of families who seek accountability through the legal system. These clauses, often buried in the fine print of admittance paperwork, require disputes to be resolved outside of court, a practice that critics argue diminishes transparency and can disadvantage patients and their families. At the heart of the pushback is a coalition of affected family members, legal advocates, and consumer rights organizations, who argue that arbitration clauses shield nursing homes from public scrutiny and…

New York, NY—Amidst a backdrop of staffing shortages that have plagued nursing homes nationwide, a novel approach named “Float Pools” has emerged, aiming to offer respite to the beleaguered sector. While on the surface, this strategy appears as an ingenious solution to address the chronic shortage of nurses and caregivers, it’s becoming evident that this quick fix might be doing more harm than good to nursing homes and the quality of care they provide. Float Pools, essentially, are a system where a group of nurses and healthcare workers are employed on a flexible basis by a staffing agency or a…