Reduce Hospital Re-Admissions by Discharging to Better Nursing Homes

A common cause of hospital readmission is urinary tract infection (UTI) associated with catheter placement. This is especially true in the elderly and stroke populations discharged to nursing homes.

The belief is that a hospital treats a patient, sends her back to the nursing home from which she came, only for that nursing home to leave her catheter in too long which subsequently causes a UTI and associated symptoms such as "dizziness and giddiness" that look like they could be stroke related. Thus, the patient is admitted to the hospital, treated and the cycle continues.

Meanwhile, the hospital is unable to cover the cost of the admissions for various reasons: failure to document "present on admission," too many resources were used to diagnose the problem and rule out a stroke, the patient didn't meet admission criteria or payment for the billing DRG simply was less than the cost of the admission.

You can prevent these admissions quite simply by knowing more about the nursing homes to which you're discharging patients. We recommend looking at two pieces of quality information and sharing with families when choosing a nursing home:

1. Percent of long-stay residents who have/had a catheter inserted and left in their bladder (the national average is 5%)
2. Percent of long stay patients who had a UTI (the national average is 9%)

A quick search on nursing homes in the Detroit area yielded surprising results. We found one home in Taylor, MI where 20% of long stay patients had a UTI. That's 11% above the national average! One might find that hospitals in that area discharging to this nursing home have higher than average readmission rates and are losing needless amounts of money.

If that is the case, these hospitals should quickly implement a procedure to present these simple pieces of information to families as they are making long term care choices. Armed with the right information, families can find better care for their loved ones and help you improve your bottom line.

Home Health Care vs Assisted Living

Home Health Care in Los Angeles

Home health care is health care that is provided to patients inside their home, and usually by either health care professionals or family and friends. The term "home care" suggests that the care provided is non-medical and more of a custodial nature, whereas "home health care" may suggest licensed staff members. The differences here are similar to the differences between assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Much like assisted living facilities, home health care lets seniors enjoy a good measure of independence. An elderly individual or couple will appreciate having privacy as well as assistance in daily living needs.

What Home Health Care Provides

What kind of services does home health care provide? Home health care may help seniors with daily living needs such as bathing, dressing, house keeping and cooking and dining preparation. Depending on the needs of the resident, there may be special provisions such as transportation services and errands, volunteer programs, exercise and walking, and toileting assistance. More extensive forms of home health care would also provide rehabilitation programs, including visits from physical therapists and nurses. Other qualified home health care professionals may include respiratory nurses, occupational nurses, social workers, mental health workers and physicians.

Who pays for home health care? This type of outside assisted living program can be paid by private resources from the resident or family, by public payers such as Medicare and Medicaid or by employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Medicare will usually not pay for home health care on a long term basis while Medicaid is more likely to help low-income families with little or no assets. Employer-sponsored home health care is likely to be on a short term basis unless the insurance plan is very generous. Most of the time home health care will be paid for by a family's own resources.

Comparing Home Health Care with Assisted Living

How does home health care compare with in-house stays at nursing homes and assisted living facilities? Most seniors would prefer home health care, of course, as people always do value their privacy. However, there are also circumstances that would necessitate constant supervision of the resident at an assisted living facility, and not only occasional visits. Home health care is basically assisted living, but with even more independence. Therefore a resident that cannot be left alone for long periods of time would be better suited in a nursing or board and care type home.

It might appear that home health care would be cheaper than a stay in a nursing home. However, home health care costs can be just as expensive, depending on the number of hours aides work. Some residents have admitted that full time home health care usually costs twice as much as a stay in a board and care or assisted living home. Most home health care agencies will charge about $20.00 an hour or over. If the resident is relatively independent then the fees associated with the service can be controlled. However, don't forget that if your needs are minimal to begin with, you could hire a trusted individual to perform the same tasks and save money from paying an agency fee.

Home health care is ideal for seniors who feel well and can easily get around but who need occasional doctor visits and help with housekeeping. It is also a preferable choice if a senior needs full time care but does not want to become a resident in a public nursing home. Full time home health care provides the most privacy and personal attention possible. If you are looking for this type of senior assistance, you should always be mindful of the qualifications of workers, as opening one's home to a stranger could always be a security risk. The best home health care agencies have screened workers who are well qualified in their field.

How We Can Help You

ElderHomeFinders is a company dedicated to helping seniors locate assistance in the southern California area. We inspect assisted living facilities and retirement communities in the area so that our clients will find the perfect home at a price they can afford. Can ElderHomeFinders also help seniors find home health care? Yes. Our company can put you in touch with the right home health care agency, according to your special needs and budget limitation. We can also advise you on the differences between home health care services and assisted living and board and care facilities and which choice would better work for you. Seniors have worked hard all their life and surely deserve the best health care possible - whether in a senior living facility or in their own home.

4 Reasons Why It's Essential You Make A Work Accident Claim

When it comes to injury claims there's one category which sees a surprising number of people choosing not to claim, even though they are entitled to, and it is recommended that they do. Work accident compensation claims are amongst the most necessary claims, often because the injury is caused through pure negligence, greed or laziness, and the injuries sustained in a workplace can often be severe. The fact that employers and businesses have liability insurance means that any claim for compensation will be paid for by the insurance company, rather than the employer, so why do people choose not to make a claim when they both deserve it, and more often than not, need it?

The answer is that often people are afraid if the consequences. They are afraid that if they make an accident claim for compensation against their employer that they will find their employment jeopardised, or their working relationship harmed in some way.

Whilst understandable, this doesn't hold up to practical scrutiny, and in fact there are four very good reasons why if you have been injured in an accident at work which wasn't your fault, you should definitely consider making a work accident compensation claim as soon as possible.

1. Financial compensation for expenses incurred & income lost. If you have been injured at work in an accident that was not your fault, and for which liability can clearly be placed with your employer, it simply doesn't make sense to suffer the inevitable financial hardships when you don't have to. If you have been injured you may well need to take time off work, and this can result in a loss of earnings, which your employer is unlikely to voluntarily recompense you for.

Not only that but medical bills and expenses can add up, as well as other things such as the cost of any care and travel. The money you need is waiting for you to submit your claim, and frankly if you're trying to recover from an injury, worrying about money isn't going to help.

2. Specific risk resolved, safeguarding injured party & all other employees. Whether your claim for compensation is successful or not, it is almost certain that your employer will address the cause of the injury, and rectify this, implementing safeguards which should ensure both you and all other employers are better protected in future.

3. Increased probability that other potential risks are addressed, increasing safety & welfare for all. Once an employer realises that their negligence, cost cutting or laziness has resulted in an injury, and a subsequent compensation case, it is highly likely that a more thorough analysis of all health and safety issues will be undertaken, ensuring that overall the workplace is a good deal safer in future, for everyone who will work there.

4. Solicitors in discussion with employer to ensure sound working relationship. Most solicitors will ensure that as part of their service discussions are held with your employer to ensure that there will be no on-going issues or disputes in relation to the claim. Remember, your employer will not have had to pay a penny of your compensation, as their insurance policy covers your payment.

By not making a work accident compensation claim you could well be letting your employer get away with putting your safety and the safety of all your colleagues on the line. The next accident could be even more serious, and may well be preventable by taking the right action now.

Study Shows Nursing Homes Are Havens For Criminals

As our population grows older the number of seniors looking for a peaceful end to their lives by turning to nursing homes and assisted care facilities continues to grow. It is no secret that these facilities are usually understaffed and frequently use employees who are not all that well-qualified. Because of increased emphasis on profitability it is common practice to compromise standards, assuming that there are any in the first place.

When people go looking for a nursing home the last thing they expect is to find a problem with criminals working in the facility. That is exactly what the inspector general of the federal Health and Human Services found out in a recent report. Ninety percent of all nursing homes employee one or more people with a criminal record.

The report goes on to this show that over 40 percent of those employees with a record were guilty of property crimes like burglary, shoplifting, or of writing bad checks. Twenty percent had DUI's and fifteen percent of nursing homes had employees with two or more criminal convictions.

Part of the problem as noted is that the standards sometimes are so low that a background check is bypassed completely. Variation of this problem is that states sometimes only require a background check in the local state. If there was a conviction in the neighboring state it wouldn't show up.

In the year 2006 there was a law passed that required the creation of the database of workers. In 2010 the Department of Social Services decided that it would not seek money to comply with the law.

So there is a lack of standardization in requirements for background checks. Additionally, employers are likely the look the other way if something does show up, which is a major concern. Again, financial considerations are at work here. A well-qualified employee will cost a lot more than someone you with a criminal record.

The Obama administration is trying to create a national program to nationalize background checks for nursing home employees. 10 states so far received federal funds to do the background investigations. As you may have guessed, participation is optional.

There is so much pressure to hire someone, anyone, that frequently standards are out the window.

There isn't much that family members can do on this front. And there is no study that has ever been done on the correlation between employees with criminal records and a mounting evidence of elder abuse in nursing homes which occurs in one out of six facilities.

One thing that can be done by family members is to protect a family resident in nursing homes by installing a hidden spy camera. They can easily detect any abuse.

Semi-Truck Accidents and Brake Failure

A loaded tractor trailer truck can weigh up to 40 tons - 16 times more than the average 5,000 lb car. The tremendous weight of trucks requires stringent laws to ensure that safe driving is the major concern of every truck driver- and good braking systems. Many tractor trailers on the road today have two braking systems, -airbrakes and antilock brakes. While a complete braking failure is unusual in semi-trucks, accidents due to brake problems still occur. In fact, the DOT reports that nearly 30% of all truck accidents were caused by issues with the brakes.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one to a tractor trailer accident, you may be wondering if brakes played a role in the accident. The insurance companies and responding law enforcement will investigate the accident scene including the braking system of the truck to determine if brakes were a reason for the accident. There are several ways that the brakes could have caused an accident:

• Wear and tear. Often, truck brakes do not perform as expected because of excessive wear and tear on brake disks.

• Poor air pressure in the air brake system.

• Worn brake seals.

• Missing or broken components in the brake shoe.

If there was some sort of brake failure that led to the trucking accident, you will be eligible for compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, loss of income, long term disability accommodation, and compensation for pain and suffering. Exactly by whom you will be compensated can often be a tricky matter, however.

Trucking is a complex system that can involve a driver who works alone or for a company, trucking companies, loading companies, and manufacturers of parts. Any of these parties might be liable for the brake problems that lead to the truck accident, and the parties will likely try to shift blame. The liability falls with the party who was negligent in their duty to ensure that the truck was properly functioning:

• The truck driver: Truck drivers are required to inspect the truck before every trip. If a truck's records reveal that the truck driver had not properly inspected the truck's braking system before the fateful drive, the truck driver can be held negligible for the brake failure.


• The trucking company: If a trucking company was responsible for inspecting or maintaining a truck and failed to properly do so, they can be held liable for the trucking accident.


• The manufacturer of the parts: Manufacturing defects happen in all sorts of products, including truck brakes. If a brake suffered a defect, the manufacturing company might be responsible for the accident.


• The loading company: If a loading company didn't load the truck well, problems with the brakes could result.

There are so many different reasons that a truck's brakes could have failed and so many different parties that could be responsible for their failure. If you have suffered injuries from a semi accident, you should contact an attorney. A truck accident attorney will make sure that all necessary reports are collected, that responsible parties are held accountable for their actions, and that you receive an adequate insurance award to help you recover to the best of your ability.

Acquisition of Nursing Homes Through a Non-Recourse Loan

There's a variation involving how properties are bought versus how nursing households are bought. Though the two these deals come beneath the broad type of purchasing home (genuine estate), the terms and costs of lending are governed by absolutely unique laws in every single case due to the fact homes are individual qualities which comes under the classification of domestic investments by folks, even though invest in of any industrial house - for whatever the objective - arrives underneath the purview of industrial lending charges. For example, when a person wishes to make use of the avenue of non-recourse lending for your obtain of a home, it is possible for him to make use of his IRAs so as to ameliorate his borrowing capability. A lot of people do that. Nevertheless, a businessman investing in expansion of his organization cannot do the identical matter.

Still it is feasible to make use of a Non-recourse financial loan to acquire nursing houses by utilizing the piece of home alone as collateral for securing the mortgage. Hypothecation is strategy of employing the house as collateral. It is most normally understood by borrowers as 'mortgage'. Although the idea itself is acquainted, it's important to have the quotes for hypothecation before getting into the cope having a lender as the charges and phrases of mortgaging property range in accordance with form of offer and also the guidelines in the jurisdiction.

Along with acquiring house by means of non-recourse personal loan, there is also a provision to implement residence via lease. The most common actions for getting hospital amenities, nursing properties and recuperation facilities is via the triple-net lease. On this, the lessee or the tenant is anticipated to shell out for maintenance, making insurance coverage together with all of the taxes applicable, as well as the lease hire. Most industrial buildings appear less than this classification of leasing, as are some home residences.

When seeking to acquire nursing houses as a result of non-recourse loan, you will find particular advantages which the buyer/borrower ought to hold in mind - for these are strengths which other creating proprietors would not be able to avail on their own of: Nursing properties and assisted residing loans are thought of on the basis of size and sort of building and according to these parameters, a possible purchaser can get estimates earlier than settling for any cope. The Housing and Urban Improvement (HUD) division which is the proponent of loans for these properties very first considers whether or not the premises are profit or non-profit oriented. With many other factors such as building, renovation or acquisition made the decision upon, quotes could be obtained for that bank loan.

Personal Injury Attorney: Methods To Pay For Legal Help

You deserve to have the help of a personal injury attorney, no matter your financial situation. This is why there are several ways to afford the help of a firm. If you think you cannot afford it, think about the fact that you may have to pay for all of your medical bills, property damage, and other expenses related to the injuries on your own, which is much more expensive.

If you cannot afford to pay your personal injury attorney upfront through cash or debit card, you may be able to work out a payment plan. In fact, many attorneys accept financing as a way to pay for legal assistance, so you should definitely ask about this possibility. Make sure you understand the terms of the agreement so that you are able to pay every month on time, since otherwise you might jeopardize the legal help you are getting.

If your lawyer does not offer financing, you might consider putting the fees on a credit card. This is essentially the same, especially if you have a low-interest card. It will allow you to get the help you need now instead of waiting until you have saved up the money. In the end, you will likely get back any money you had to pay in interest since you will probably get more than what your injuries and damages cost you. This means you should have enough left over to pay off your card once you get what you are owed.

Some lawyers even work for free if you lose the case. Thus, you only pay when you win the case, and by then you should have more than enough money to pay both your lawyer and your bills related to the crash. This is called a contingency fee, and some lawyers' use this method when they believe you deserve help even though you cannot current afford it. If you can find a personal injury attorney who uses the contingency fee method, you should discuss your case beforehand with him or her since many such lawyers only take on strong cases.

You should use your initial consultation to talk about the payment methods available to you. You do not want to commit to legal help from a personal injury attorney without being able to afford it, yet you should not completely avoid it just because you cannot pay right now. There will likely be a solution that works for you, so be sure to check out your options.