Maryland prohibits all nursing home visits indefinitely … Kentucky calls in National Guard to help nursing home coronavirus response … Pandemic has ‘pulled back the curtain’ on longstanding cracks...
Facility establishes ‘hug tent’ to safely reunite residents, families
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And long-term providers are making a way for families and other visitors to safely visit residents.
CMS issues formal alert on how nursing homes should manage Thanksgiving visits
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed that it will be issuing an alert for providers on how they should manage residents and workers who may want to visit loved ones during the Thanksgiving...
‘Most dangerous’ pandemic months ahead, former FDA leader tells providers
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
A former leader of the Food and Drug Administration is warning long-term care providers to stay vigilant and proactive as they head into the “seventh inning” of the coronavirus public health crisis.
1 in 8 nursing home workers have completed COVID-19 training program, CMS says
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is calling for more nursing home staff members to complete its new training program designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Lawmakers want more poor performing nursing homes on the SFF list
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
The Special Focus Facility program, a federal initiative that targets very low-performing nursing homes for additional oversight and improvements, would be expanded and renamed under a new legislation...
Also in the News for Wednesday, Nov. 18
Nov 18, 2020
OIG to investigate nursing home compliance with facility-initiated discharges … New Hampshire reinstates extra weekly stipend for nursing home workers during public health crisis … Feds see $15B decrease...
Feds now expanding distribution of BinaxNOW test kits to ‘green’ counties
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 17, 2020
Nursing homes in areas that have low COVID-19 positivity rates are now receiving additional rapid testing options from the federal government for the first time, according to a top health official.
Medicare cuts will have ‘damaging effect’ on nursing home therapy offerings, expert warns
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 17, 2020
Nursing home operators will have to cut the amount of therapy services they can offer, thanks to Medicare payment cuts slated to start Jan. 1, a top industry expert said in renewing warnings Monday.
81% of providers encouraging residents to stay put for Thanksgiving: survey
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 17, 2020
The increased risk of contracting COVID-19 has caused most long-term care providers to discourage residents from traveling to family gatherings for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, according to an industry...