Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Almost every director of nursing services (DNS) has experienced it. A staff member reports an unusual bruise. A resident falls without injury. A medication error is discovered during a chart audit. A family member alleges neglect. Within minutes, …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. A newly admitted resident with dementia exhibits some challenging behaviors: exit seeking, refusing care, and lashing out at caregivers when approached. Helping this resident has become so problematic that some staff suggested sending him to the hospital for …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Laboratory services are a critical component of home health care. Home health nurses often monitor chronic conditions, identify subtle changes in patient status, coordinate care with providers, and ensure laboratory tests are completed accurately and on time. Because …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. 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 …
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 …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. 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 …
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 …
