INCREASED OVERSIGHT

Explosion of penalties “could reflect increased oversight and lower staffing levels”

Penalties skyrocket under increased oversight and lower staffing levels as the number of nursing homes declines. The supply of federally certified nursing homes has dropped 5% since 2014, as the number of deficiencies assessed by nursing home surveyors  — especially those alleging serious violations — has skyrocketed.

LeadingAge Monday called for targeted federal investments “to ensure that older adults and families can access the unique, 24/7 care that nursing homes provide.”

In the last 10 years, though, funding has received far less attention from policymakers than regulation.

Wound care therapies continue to advance, but even with these advances, pressure wounds/injuries are a focus of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and comprise a significant percentage of claims in long-term care settings.

Accurate documentation is essential in confirming a precise diagnosis, demonstrating quality wound care, receiving appropriate reimbursement, complying with regulations, and defending claims and litigation.

National wound care expert, Martha Kelso, and healthcare defense attorney LaDonna Boeckman provided an overview of the new wound care regulations and the potential impact on defending wound cases at the recent DRI Senior Living and Long-Term Care Seminar. This informative presentation reinforced the need for accurate diagnosis and detailed documentation, noting that “misdiagnosing a pressure wound is surprisingly frequent, often with legal ramifications.”

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Elevating the Art and Science of Would Healing

Wound care is a complex field, and Martha Kelso is an industry leader recognized for improving patient care, training caregivers, and advising healthcare leaders. She is the founder and CEO of Wound Care Plus, a mobile wound care specialty group providing advanced wound care to patients at almost any location in over 20 states.

Ms. Kelso’s expertise is in high demand as she crisscrosses the country to lecture healthcare providers, professionals, insurers, and legal counsel on the latest advancements in wound care. Through her passion for education, she has trained thousands of healthcare professionals in wound care. In addition to speaking, she serves on multiple advisory boards and has authored numerous articles on the art and science of wound healing. Her expertise extends beyond diagnoses and treatments to include regulations and reimbursement issues. She is often called upon to provide expert witness testimony in wound litigation.

Ms. Kelso’s visionary leadership in this critical area of patient care positively impacts patients, their families, caregivers, and healthcare facilities.

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