Residents of nursing homes face many challenges to their well-being, ranging from falls and fractures to bedsores and infection. How can we keep nursing homes accountable for the care they provide? We can hold them responsible by reporting nursing home abuse or neglect to government officials. The Ohio Department of Health handles complaints involving regulated health care facilities […]
I am talking about the CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) rating stars that rate the nation’s nursing homes. Families rely on this system when they’re evaluating nursing homes and their quality of care. Last month Medicare implemented changes to the rating system on its website Nursing Home Compare. The changes impacted two areas: […]
Is it really easier to research the best new television than to research the best nursing home for your mom? Well, I have good news and bad. The bad news is that yes, it used to be easier to find detailed information on the latest TV or electronics than the nursing homes in your town. […]
Cell Phone Usage While Driving In City of Cleveland v. English, 8th Dist. No. 92951, 2009-Ohio-5011 (Sept. 24, 2009), the court upheld a conviction against a defendant under Cleveland City Ordinance 431.34(c) for failure to give full attention to driving. The conviction was upheld based on testimony supplied by the ticketing officer that he observed […]
There is no end to the number of medical malpractice stories. A single dose of aspirin is billed at $25. Or a simple chest X-ray costs hundreds of dollars more at one hospital compared to another in the same town. Mounting health care costs are a concern for everyone these days, so why are costs […]
What is the difference between generic versus brand name drugs? The difference between generic and brand name prescription drugs is the inactive ingredients. These may include color, shape, taste, preservatives and packaging. Both generic and brand name drugs must contain the same active ingredients, dosage form, concentration, and route of administration. How can you find […]
After hospitalization, Mr. Jones was prescribed a blood-thinning medication called Coumadin. He picked up his new prescription at the neighborhood pharmacy on the way home. When he opened his new prescription, a slew of papers spilled from the envelope. Annoyed, he threw them in the trash, not noticing the prescription strength was different from […]
Medical errors and negligence in health care, such as prescription mix-ups, surgery on the wrong body part, and infections, often go unreported by patients each year. But a new federal initiative proposed by the Obama administration plans to address this growing problem. According to a recent New York Times article, consumers will be able to […]
What is a power of attorney? A power of attorney (POA) is a document that gives authority or power to a designated person to act on your behalf when you cannot. Is there more than one type of POA? Yes. There are a few types of POAs for different situations. A financial POA allows someone […]
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect It can be a family’s worst nightmare when their family member, their mom or dad suffers an unexplained injury in a nursing home. Nursing home abuse and neglect is a frightening concept for families who depend on a skilled nursing facility to care for their loved ones. […]