danny

A basic strategy you should use to grow qualified referrals is targeting physicians for referral development. Consider these recent successes by clients employing this strategy:

Last week the orthotist agreed to repair my right AFO (ankle-foot orthoses)strap, left the room and returned quickly. He said he reinforced it with nylon and felt it would hold.

He reminded me that during my 2011 visit he said he did not make straps with neoprene or vinyl, from which mine were made. I remembered that, but I wondered why he did not suggest remaking them with a different material. 

He said all braces are made at large, out-of-state labs. He did not say if repairs were sent to those same labs, but stated he does little in his lab. 

Last month, the Office of the National Coordinator held a roundtable meeting of LTPAC (long-term post-acute care) thought leaders. Our objective was to inform policy makers of the status of LTPAC HIT (health information technology) and develop initial strategies for possible inclusion of major LTPAC provider groups in part of Stage 3 of the HITECH Act.

I cannot remember when my AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses) were made. But I know they are more than five years old. Since I moved to north central Ohio (almost two years ago) I have gone to the same orthotist twice because I wanted the strapping replaced. Last year the orthotist peeled off the top layer of Velcro, checked the rivets, and gave me two new removable Velcro toe straps. 

The Obama Administration seems determined to keep patients in their community settings and out of nursing homes for as long as possible. Obviously that will mean fewer admissions to long-term care facilities, so those facilities must be thinking of ways to adapt in order to remain viable. Let’s take a look at what has transpired thus far regarding community-based care. 

In Ohio Medicaid nursing home residents do not seem to have a payor for their power chair battery replacement or repair. For several years either my sister or I have paid for necessary repairs and battery replacement. The administrator here says the facility is responsible only for repairs to manual wheelchairs.

This month, PHI released its latest analysis of the direct-care workforce. Most striking are the statistics on job growth. When taken as a group, nursing assistant, home health aide and personal care aide positions are projected to grow to nearly 5 million by 2020.This is the largest occupational group in the country. 

One thing that was important to me when I came here two years ago was to connect with the Roman Catholic Church. At first the nuns came to see me, which I enjoyed. But I knew they did not have time to visit. Before long a young woman volunteer began coming each Sunday and brought me communion.

Over time, I anticipated her Sunday visits, and the young woman and I have become close discussing my faith issues and life challenges in long term care.  Her visits keep me a member in faith.

The 9 mm kidney stone which has plagued me since January was blown to bits by a laser last week. Since the procedure was short and I recovered well, I returned to the facility that same day. 

After getting in bed to watch TV, I began to have chills that made my teeth chatter. I knew there was a problem. I had a restless night and the next morning my temperature was 103.6° which made the nurses suggest I go back to the hospital.  

If you were to guess what motivates employees in top-ranked companies, what would you say? What would you imagine generates sustainable high performance in the workplace? If your first guess is money, your guess is wrong. 

When Vicki began working second shift last summer, I was delighted that she was such a caring person. I was also sorry she was only part time. She is conscientious and usually shows up well before "clock in time.” Doing so allows her to see how the day has gone. 

It was not long before I realized I felt better whenever Vicki is my aide. Each afternoon after rounds she looks in on each resident on her list. In my case, she sees I am set up correctly and comfortable.