New COVID-19 test kits promised as LTC operators contend with shortages, slow PCR results
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 03, 2022
Five million Celltion brand rapid tests will be shipped over a five-week period to facilities as they contend with testing supply shortages and slow lab turnaround times.
It’s official: Omicron causes less severe COVID-19 illness than prior variants, CDC study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant is much less likely to cause severe illness and death than its predecessors, according to a new analysis of U.S. data from December 2020 through mid-January 2022.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 26
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
OSHA to withdraw COVID-19 vaccine mandate … Infected CNAs recount going to work sick at short-staffed California nursing homes … Trail of loss is following omicron’s peak … Pfizer working on a...
Health officials urge public to consider wearing N95, KN95 respirators
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2022
The CDC has updated its consumer information on wearing face masks during the pandemic. The changes clarify levels of mask protection and emphasize that the public can choose to wear N95 and KN95 respirators...
Clinical briefs for Friday, Jan. 14
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2022
Supreme Court says yea to CMS vaccine mandate, nay to OSHA’s version … Biden to deploy strike medical teams, allocate more rapid tests and N95 masks as omicron rages … CDC: Mask recommendations...
Staff support outweighs wages as turnover solution, nursing home study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 05, 2022
A people-oriented work environment with tangible staff supports is key to minimizing turnover and care disruptions in nursing homes. It’s even more important than compensation, direct care providers...
No quarantine for certain workers as CDC faces down omicron, staff shortages
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2022
Healthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 may now return to work in seven days or less — and some exposed workers may be advised to remain on the job, the CDC now says.
U.S. may reduce 10-day isolation period in bid to keep healthcare workers on the job
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2021
Healthcare facilities will need all hands on deck to respond to expected COVID-19 surges, and a shortened isolation period for those who test positive but are symptomless and fully vaccinated could help,...
State orders nursing homes to offer antibody therapy as COVID-19 preventive during outbreaks
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 20, 2021
Long-term care advocates are applauding a new order by the governor of Maryland that requires nursing facilities to offer all residents therapeutic treatments such as monoclonal antibodies when a COVID-19...
CDC: Boosted nursing home residents 10 times less likely to be infected with COVID-19
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 17, 2021
The news, delivered by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, is a bit of cheer amidst other new evidence that COVID-19 cases are increasing among fully vaccinated long-term care residents.