Best bet against omicron? Prior infection or a booster shot, early research suggests
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 09, 2021
A two-dose course of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may not be enough to effectively combat the new omicron coronavirus variant, but a booster shot may do the trick, two early lab studies suggest....
Two years into pandemic, we’re better prepared to fight off virus variants
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2021
Despite the threat of the quickly spreading and highly mutated omicron coronavirus variant — which has just landed in the U.S. — we are safer than we were before the pandemic, some experts say.
Two years into COVID, private room pressure still won’t quit
By
John Hall
Dec 01, 2021
Private room conversions remain limited as economic, reimbursement and workforce challenges take center stage, even while evidence against shared rooms mounts.
BREAKING [updated]: CMS vaccine mandate blocked in 10 states by federal judge
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 29, 2021
The Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers has been at least temporarily halted in 10 states following an order issued by a federal judge Monday afternoon.
Best practices for antibiotic stewardship & infection control in long-term care
By
Oliver Schacht
Nov 22, 2021
Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week November 18-24, highlighting the importance of appropriate antibiotic use in fighting the threat of drug...
A payment program that should be fixed, not nixed
By
John O'Connor
Nov 22, 2021
Look, Washington state’s public insurance program is far from perfect. But if some opponents have their way, it’ll never even get started. And that would be a real loss.
COVID shot boosters for all adults will help to reduce confusion, FDA says
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 22, 2021
The FDA “heard loud and clear” that a simpler booster strategy was needed, its vaccine chief says. But the action may be too late to head off a winter virus surge, observers say.
Florida squeezes LTC providers with anti-vaccine mandate law, joins challenge of healthcare rule
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 19, 2021
Stuck between a rock and a hard place. That’s where Florida long-term care providers are right now, as the state of Florida on Thursday passed a law aimed at stopping private employers from enacting...
Eliminating vaccine hesitancy through education
By
Helen Adeosun
Kevin Smith
Nov 17, 2021
The last 19 months have been filled with many unknowns, and healthcare has been forever impacted because of it. The COVID-19 Delta variant is creating continued challenges, filling ICUs and hospital beds...
This season, the gifts will just keep on comin’
By
Kimberly Marselas
Nov 17, 2021
There’s no more dreading what’s in the box, no fear that you’re getting some dud gift dressed up in the fanciest of double-sided wrapping paper.