December 2012

News

Eyes at the Center of the Storm
• Joanne Kaldy
Published in issue: December 2012
p1-3
Settlement Ends Medicare's ‘Improvement’ Standard
• Keith Haglund
Published in issue: December 2012
p1
Observation Units Could Reap $3 Billion in Savings for Hospitals
• Jennie Smith
Published in issue: December 2012
p4
Variability Hampers True Comparison of Handoff Interventions
• Mary Ann Moon
Published in issue: December 2012
p5
Internists: Make Physicians Account for Costs
• Jane Anderson
Published in issue: December 2012
p6

Dear Dr. Jeff


The Very Good Side of Meeting With Families
• Jeffrey Nichols
Published in issue: December 2012
p7

Legal Issues


Medical Directors Have Leadership Obligations
Even when residents reject help, leadership calls for sincere, documented efforts to reduce risks involved.
• Janet K. Feldkamp
Published in issue: December 2012
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Promising C. difficile Antibiotic in Pipeline
• Sherry Boschert
Published in issue: December 2012
p9
UV Light Blasts ‘Bad Bugs’
• Doug Brunk
Published in issue: December 2012
p9
Center Sees the Light as Better Than Bleach
• Sherry Boschert
Published in issue: December 2012
p9

Public Policy


Fiscal Trends for the Nursing Home Practitioner in 2012
• Charles Crecelius
Published in issue: December 2012
p10
Nonpayment for Urinary Tract Infections Based on Faulty Data
• Alicia Ault
Published in issue: December 2012
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Progress Observed in Reducing Senior Pneumococcal Infections
• Bruce Jancin
Published in issue: December 2012
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Daptomycin Shown to Knock Out UTIs
• Doug Brunk
Published in issue: December 2012
p13
Three C. difficile Tools Fall Short
• Sherry Boschert
Published in issue: December 2012
p13

Caring Transitions


What You Don't Know Can Hurt Mattie
Connect the dots during care transtions to complete the picture of quality outcomes.
• James Lett II
Published in issue: December 2012
p14
Study: CMS Almost Always Accepts RUC Recommendations
• Jane Anderson
Published in issue: December 2012
p15
More Boards Reporting on Certification Maintenance
• Mary Ellen Schneider
Published in issue: December 2012
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Medical Ethics


When People Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
• Jonathan Evans
Published in issue: December 2012
p16
Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative Called a Gamble
• Alicia Ault
Published in issue: December 2012
p17

News from the Association


AMDA Nursing Home Measures Endorsed by Quality Forum
Published in issue: December 2012
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People Are Talking
Published in issue: December 2012
p18
Registration, Hotel Block open for AMDA LTC Medicine – 2013
Published in issue: December 2012
p18
INTERACT Institute Makes Its Debut
Published in issue: December 2012
p18
AMDA Again Partners with CDC on Antibiotics
Published in issue: December 2012
p19
Joanne Lynn to Deliver AMDA Conference's Closing Address
Published in issue: December 2012
p19

Go Fetch: 2013 Caring Canines and Furry Friends Calendar Now Available
Published in issue: December 2012
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Don't Miss These Events
Published in issue: December 2012
p19
Age Cutoff for Carotid Artery Stenting May Fall to 65
• Patrice Wendling
Published in issue: December 2012
p20

Caring for consumers

Open Your Eyes to the Signs of Vision Trouble
Published in issue: December 2012
p20
Frailty Found Vital to TAVR Prognosis
• Naseem S. Miller
Published in issue: December 2012
p21
Latest Osteoarthritis Guidelines Address Benefits of Exercise
• Miriam E. Tucker
Published in issue: December 2012
p22-23

Guest Editorial


I Challenge You to Support Resident-Directed Initiatives
• Penelope Ann Shaw
Published in issue: December 2012
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