On September 6, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the highly-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing a minimum safe staffing standard in nursing homes. Consumer advocates and experts believe the proposed staffing levels are dangerous for caregivers and residents. Consumer Voice also believes the proposed staffing standard does not go
Troy police arrested Brianna Leanate Cowart-Birckett, an employee of Troy Health and Rehab nursing home, on elder abuse allegations. Police arrested her on Sept. 12 after management told investogators Cowart-Birckett had physically assaulted a resident. The criminal complaint alleges she placed a cover over someone’s face and shoved that person’s head repeatedly. Cowart-Birckett is charged with
Florida police say surveillance footage showed employees whipping an elderly resident. Rosa Edwards, 23, and Aneisha Hall, 19, were arrested on two counts each of battery on a person 65 or older, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said. Both employees work at Inspired Living at Ivy Ridge Assisted Living Facility. Surveillance footage showed the two
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the final version of the new Resident Assessment Instrument manual to complete the necessary reform of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) nursing home resident assessment tool before the Oct. 1 implementation. This tool determines the level of acuity of individual residents and as a facility aggregate. The “Final”
The Department of Health and Human Services announced awards of $100 million to grow the nursing workforce through career pipelines, additional faculty and resources. The Health Resources and Services Administration grants will address increasing demand for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and nurse faculty. “Nurses are an essential part of our nation’s health care
“Research shows that these staffing levels will save lives, provide residents with a higher quality of life and prevent needless suffering.” –Biden said in his editorial for USA Today, referring to 24/7 RN coverage, along with ensuring there are enough nurse aides to provide routine bedside care and other tasks. CMS released a proposed rule