As the clinical leader of the largest operational department in a skilled nursing facility, the director of nursing services (DNS), in tandem with the administrator, plays a key role in financial oversight. Ancillary charges are rooted in nursing-driven systems, so reviewing financials and billing is a shared responsibility. This article …
The phrase “budget development time” often elicits moans and groans. During this process, leadership usually asks the nurse leader if he or she has any requests of items to include in the budget. Often, the nurse leader makes a list of wants and needs, hoping to receive them in the …
Wounds are a significant clinical, regulatory, and financial concern in nursing homes. One of the most effective strategies to improve wound care is implementing structured wound rounds by an interdisciplinary team (IDT). When conducted consistently and thoroughly, wound rounds promote interdisciplinary collaboration, early identification of problems, timely treatment changes, and …
Providing quality care begins with selecting the right people to join the home health agency team. Unlike many healthcare settings, home health professionals work in patients’ homes, often independently, serving as the face and voice of the organization. Their competence, reliability, and compassion directly shape patient experiences, regulatory compliance, and …
Facility policies serve as the backbone of consistent, safe, and compliant operations. Nursing homes rely on well-developed policies to guide staff, protect residents, and maintain compliance of care delivery that must follow state and federal regulations. The director of nursing services (DNS) plays a vital role in ensuring that facility …
Respiratory illness season is rapidly approaching once again, posing significant health concerns for vulnerable residents. The director of nursing services (DNS) must ensure facility staff can identify, manage, and help prevent these infections. Whether it’s influenza, pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or COVID-19, early recognition, prompt intervention, and strong infection …
When caring for patients suffering from a stroke, staff often focus on physical issues, yet post-stroke patients often have emotional or behavioral changes as well. It is important for staff of home health agencies to understand how a stroke can affect patients’ psychosocial well-being. By recognizing the multi-faceted impacts of …
The director of nursing services (DNS) is preparing for her first annual survey. She wants to take a proactive approach regarding facility residents with enteral feedings. However, as a relatively new DNS, she is unsure where to begin. Sound familiar? This article will provide a process to assist the DNS …
Sensory impairments, such as loss of vision, hearing, taste, smell, or touch, are common among older adults, and significantly affect their quality of life. These impairments often go unnoticed or may be mistaken for cognitive decline, leading to missed opportunities for interventions, or worse, a decline in function. Residents with …
The nurse leader plays an integral role in the disciplinary process in a home health agency. Managing employee performance can be challenging, but it is necessary. Failure to address employees’ negative behaviors and actions can destroy morale among the staff. Knowing when and how to discipline is key. However, the …
