Are we there yet? Vaccination success won’t ease need for LTC vigilance, observers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 18, 2021
The need for stepped-up infection control measures likely will remain a necessity for the foreseeable future, say industry observers and stakeholders.
Vaccinations tied to drop in nursing home infections; states want greater role in pharmacy allocations
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 17, 2021
Nursing homes experienced a 48% decline in new resident cases three weeks after their first onsite vaccine clinic. That’s compared with a 21% decline among unvaccinated nursing homes located in the...
$450 million for infection control, strike teams for nursing homes in House bill that advances
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 16, 2021
Nearly a half a billion dollars in funding will be dedicated toward helping nursing homes prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities if the latest measures advanced by House lawmakers...
Fauci: ‘Pan-viral’ vaccine may be needed to tackle tenacious COVID-19 long-term
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 16, 2021
The virus that causes COVID-19 likely is here to stay, and its success in humans means that stronger defense measures will be needed, say Anthony Fauci, M.D., and colleagues from the National Institute...
Factor in chills, lesser-known symptoms to better detect COVID-19, study shows
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 16, 2021
Factoring four overlooked COVID-19 symptoms into testing efforts significantly improves detection, investigators say.
Marquis Companies soars to 82% staff vaccination rate, eyes ‘downhill run’ to previous routines
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 11, 2021
Northwest-based Marquis Companies not only already completed its third round of staff and resident COVID-19 vaccinations over the weekend, it also registered what could be the nation’s best 82% staff...
White House to send COVID vaccines directly to thousands of retail pharmacies starting next week
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 03, 2021
More independent community pharmacies, including those that serve long-term care facilities, will soon be able to administer coronavirus vaccines, thanks to a new initiative launched by the federal government.
OnPointe CEO: Pandemic should be catalyst for payment changes, shedding ‘wrong strategy’
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 29, 2021
Some look at the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and question how they can make their buildings safer. Eric Tanner, CEO of transitional and skilled care specialist OnPointe, sees the crisis as a launching point...
GAO: Nursing homes unlikely to use point-of-care COVID tests in states that question accuracy
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 29, 2021
A disconnect between federal and state or local policies has a direct effect on POC antigen test use in these settings, according to a comprehensive report released Thursday by the U.S. Government Accountability...
New report details allergic reactions to early Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 25, 2021
Among 21 patients who experienced anaphylaxis in the first days of the rollout, 18 had onset within 30 minutes. Common signs of allergic reaction were hives (urticaria); rapid edema, or swelling beneath...