Long-Term Care Survey Alert
CHRONIC MILD DEPRESSION HARD ON OLDER ADULTS IMMUNITY
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Nursing facilities now have another reason to screen and treat elderly residents for depression. Even mild chronic depression may impair older adults' ability to ward off infections and cancers, according to a new study. In an 18-month prospective study of 78 older adults, the researchers found that even subclinical forms of chronic mild depression knock down the body's ability to fight off an infectious agent. The length of the depression - rather than its severity - seemed the key factor leading to the decreased immunity. The study is reported in the February 2002 issue of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Editor's Note: Consultant Deborah Ohl's location was noted incorrectly in last month's issue. Ohl's firm, Ohl & Associates (tel. 513-522-6041), is based in Cincinnati, OH.
Long-Term Care Survey Alert
- Survey Management:
PREPARE CNAs FOR SURVEYS IN THESE 4 DEFICIENCY-PRONE AREAS
The devil is in the details - and so are most survey deficiencies. Oftentimes facilities end [...] - Survey Management:
INDIRECT CARE STAFF ALSO REQUIRE SURVEY PREPARATION
When it comes to survey preparation, remember to keep indirect care staff in the loop, [...] - Abuse Prevention:
BREAK THE CODE OF SILENCE BEFORE ITS TOO LATE
Do your nursing assistants "see no evil, hear no evil" when their coworkers sometimes behave [...] - Policies and Procedures:
UNREASONABLE POLICIES CAN BACK YOUR FACILITY INTO AN F TAG
A strong set of policies can be your best defense against the whims of surveyors [...] - Care Planning Strategies:
DONT SET THE BAR TOO HIGH FOR CARE PLANS
If you dont take your facilitys resources and limitations and those of your residents into [...] - Infection Control:
CDC ANTIMICROBIAL CONTROL INITIATIVE PROVIDES FUTURE SURVEY BLUEPRINT
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is targeting infection control practices that promote antibiotic [...] - Infection Control:
CDCS 12-STEP PLAN TO REDUCE ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
1. Vaccinate. 2. Get the catheters out.
3. Target the pathogen.
4. Access the experts [...] - Risk Management:
DISCLOSE RISKS TO SUCCEED UNDER NEW JCAHO REQUIREMENT
Is the Joint Commissions upcoming self-disclosure requirement a plaintiff lawyers wildest dream come true or [...] - Alzheimers Disease:
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FLORIDA MEDICAL DIRECTORS SPEAK OUT AGAINST GRANNY CAMS
The Florida Medical Directors Association recently spoke out against use of so-called "granny cams" in [...] - Studies and Surveys:
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SURVEY FOCUS ON DENTAL HEALTH MAY SOON HAVE BIGGER BITE
Open wide, nursing homes: The American Dental Association is calling attention to the oral health [...] - Clinical Developments:
CHRONIC MILD DEPRESSION HARD ON OLDER ADULTS IMMUNITY
Nursing facilities now have another reason to screen and treat elderly residents for depression. Even [...]