Earlier this year, we discussed the debate over the Removal of a Web Cam from a nursing home patient which caused some friction among the patient care staff and patients’ loved ones. Although the camera was placed in his room for security purposes, it was removed without consent by the nursing staff. More states are starting to draft legislature to permit cameras but it is still in the beginning stages. Still, the controversy remains: Are cameras going to be allowed in all nursing..
Category Archives: blog
Making a Case for Cameras in Nursing Homes
How Background Checks Improve Patient Care
Sending loved ones to a nursing home is a big deal, especially since their safety and care becomes the responsibility of a stranger. Although undoubtedly qualified, there are still some basic issues that are causes for concern. According to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), around 22% of Medicare beneficiaries experienced preventable injuries in nursing homes. Unfortunately, these types of negligent claims are common against nursing homes and their caregivers. However, with DigniCare Nursing Home Insurance, your reputation and the liabilities created in this unique environment are protected.
In order..
5 Key Indicators Your Nursing Home May Be Under-Insured
You probably see them all the time; those car and home insurance commercials that make you question if you have enough insurance, or even if you have too much insurance. It’s important to realize though, that this doesn’t just occur when purchasing personal insurance lines, these types of issues can come up with business insurance as well, which is why it’s vital to choose the right insurance company when it comes to understanding how to Financially Protect Your Assisted Living Facility or..
Can Boosting Caregiver Morale Improve Nursing Home Care?
Improving employee engagement and moral can go a long way in the nursing home industry, not just for employee retention but for minimizing risk and liabilities as well. Nursing and caregiving is a service sector unlike many others because it requires a level of commitment to unparalleled quality of customer, or rather patient, service. In nursing, demeanor has a direct effect on the patient. For many caregivers, having good intentions and a kindly demeanor is second nature, but faced with long shifts, quick turn..
Nursing Home Chain Faces Lawsuit For Overbilling
The U.S. Justice Department recently announced that they will be stepping into a long-running lawsuit against one of the nation's largest nursing-home chains, HCR ManorCare, which operates some 280 skilled nursing facilities across 30 states. ManorCare has been accused of intentional widespread Medicare over-billing for procedures and treatment that was both unnecessary and in some cases harmful to the patients in their care.
While the investigation has been on-going since the initial accusations against the company were filed by a northern Virginia occupational therapist in..
Uproar Caused Over Removal of Web Cam from Disabled Nursing Home Resident
Given the statistics out there for the public on nursing home abuse, it’s only natural that the families and loved ones of nursing home residents would want as much access to them as possible. Unfortunately, there have been numerous cases of neglect that have made headlines, in which the residents’ loved ones never discovered. So what is a concerned family member to do? These findings have led many individuals to look at Web Cams, or “Nanny Cams” as a solution.
Is..
Improving Nursing Homes by Addressing Continuing Problems
There are many opinions about what the biggest problems facing nursing homes today are. For example, according to a recent NPR report, almost 300,000 nursing home residents are currently receiving antipsychotic drugs, and another report indicated that antibiotics were also being overused, leading many to believe that the true problem facing nursing homes is that residents are overmedicated. To not only help improve the care of your residents but to also reduce your Nursing Home Liability Risks, what continuing problems should you..
Finding Quiet Alternatives to Nursing Home Alarms
A recent Boston Globe article raised an interesting question; are nursing home bed and chair alarms doing more harm than good? While some may see them as a disruptive nuisance often the cause of false alarms, just the thought of accidentally setting one off keeps many nursing home residents in bed or in their wheelchair despite being uncomfortable or needing to use the restroom. This whole situation creates a vicious circle that could certainly expose your nursing home or assisted living facility to Senior..
Is Antibiotic Overuse Causing Nursing Home Illnesses?
Antibiotic overuse in nursing homes is not a new topic. For example, in 2013 MEDPAGE TODAY reported that approximately 1/5th of clinicians who worked at a long-term care facility prescribed most of the antibiotics given to their elderly residents, and about half of those prescriptions were for longer than a week. Antibiotic overuse in nursing homes seems to be a problem that still remains unresolved, potentially creating illnesses amongst residents and therefore increasing Nursing Home Insurance Liability Risks.
Why is antibiotic overuse a problem? As..
How to Manage a Better Work Life Balance for Caregivers
As you are likely plenty aware of, the work demands caregivers face can often be high-stress, which can certainly carry over and contribute to stress at home as well. Unfortunately, nurses and caregivers too often let the demands of their work life take over, and don’t have the time or energy to focus on their personal well-being. This can create not only resentment, but also low productivity, less focus on workplace safety and low morale, thus increasing Nursing Home Employee Risks.
Such..