Can I be forced to sign an arbitration agreement in a nursing home? The 7th Amendment gives all Americans the right to trial by jury to resolve disputes. Similar to a trial by jury, arbitration is an alternative way to…

When Mrs. A was admitted into Whitehall Healthcare Center of Ann Arbor, Michigan in July of 2010, she had no way to anticipate the slew of negative events that were about to unfold. Mrs. A was admitted to Whitehall with…

In March 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ruled that nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs must have automatic sprinkler systems installed by August 13, 2013. The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care…

Bedsores are a lay person’s term for decubitus ulcers. Bedsores are injuries to the skin or underlying tissues that result from an inadequate blood supply caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. In many instances, bedsores occur at points of…

Under the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law, nursing home residents are guaranteed certain rights.  The law states that nursing home residents are guaranteed the right to be free from physical or chemical restraints imposed for the purposes of discipline or…

In 1987, Congress passed OBRA ‘87 (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) which contained the first federal regulations for nursing homes. Not only did the abominable care and abuse of nursing home residents lead to federal regulations, it also led to the…

Choosing to admit a loved-one to a nursing home is a difficult enough decision.  Once that decision has been made, the job becomes even more overwhelming.  How do you choose the best nursing home, and where do you start? According…

A report recently released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed that Medicare paid $5.1 billion in 2009 to skilled nursing facilities providing inexcusably poor-quality of care to the elderly and other…

 To ensure accurate and proper “med pass,” the nurse must adhere to the Ten Rights of Medication Administration. The fifth right, the right time, requires a punctual nurse. Again, the nurse must complete the routine checks (tip #28) prior to administering…

To ensure accurate and proper “med pass,” the nurse must adhere to the Ten Rights of Medication Administration. The fourth right, the right route requires a sharp nurse to recognize how and where the medication enters the body. The most…