Preparedness lacking at nursing homes.
Despite caring for some of the nation's most vulnerable residents, many nursing homes are unprepared to face a disaster, a study published in July's AJPH found. Using data collected between 1997 and 2005, the study examined four emergency preparedness components at nursing homes: a written emergency plan,...

Simpler frailty assessment recommended for nursing homes.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Diagnosing frailty in a nursing home resident can be a time-consuming undertaking. According to Dr. John E. Morley, a generally accepted definition of frailty is useful but not practical for most nursing homes because they don't have the time or the staff to...

Nursing homes to get new rating system.
The federal government will soon be rating the nation's nursing homes on a five-star quality scale. Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced the plan during a teleconference. The new rating system will give patients and their families an easy way...

CMS plans five-star rating system for nursing homes.
The federal government will soon be rating the nation's nursing homes on a five-star quality scale. Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced the plan during a teleconference. The new, simple rating system will give patients and their families an easy...

Resurrection Health Care Named One of Nation's 'Best Places to Work in Healthcare'.
CHICAGO, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Resurrection Health Care has been ranked the nation's 19th Best Place to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine. The national award recognizes Resurrection's hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, home health services, behavioral health programs and other services throughout the Chicago area. ...

Publication of Quality Report Cards and Trends in Reported Quality Measures in Nursing Homes.
Quality report cards have become a major component of initiatives to enhance the quality of the American health care system. In addition to numerous private and state report cards, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now provides web-based reports on the quality of health maintenance organizations (HMOs),...

Attendants OK their first contract; Workers get pay hikes, benefits.
Byline: Lisa Eckelbecker Massachusetts personal care attendants represented by 1199 SEIU have approved their first contract with the state, an agreement that promises wage increases over three years, paid time off and future health insurance benefits. Workers approved the contract by a vote of 4,499-59,...

Knights put on a king-sized spread for cities' seniors.
Byline: Anna L. Griffin LEOMINSTER - The Knights of Columbus handed out a Christmas present to the community yesterday when members of the organization hosted a dinner for 500 senior citizens. "This is an event we've been doing for more than 30 years," said Kevin...

Greenberg Traurig's New York Office Expands Health Care Practice With Addition of Francis Serbaroli.
NEW YORK, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Francis J. Serbaroli has joined the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP in its New York City office as a shareholder in the Health and FDA Business Practice Group. Serbaroli joins Greenberg Traurig from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. He has also served...