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...
Clinicians key to boosting coronavirus vaccine confidence, CDC says
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2020
A new webpage provides 10 “need to know” topics regarding vaccination against COVID-19 that clinicians can relay to patients in their care.
Pulmonary rehab may ease COVID pneumonia recovery, follow-up study shows
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
A year-long lung health study suggests that recovered COVID-19 pneumonia patients could benefit from tailored clinical follow-up, an exercise program, and treatment to prevent chronic disease.
Half of hospitalized COVID survivors have symptoms 4 months later, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2021
Discharged patients who underwent a comprehensive physical exam at 4 months had fatigue, loss of physical function, sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment, investigators report.
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...
AMDA urges safe, thoughtful approach in new reopening guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 02, 2021
A return to ‘normal,’ will not be immediate, says Executive Director Christopher Laxton in announcing new, proposed visitation guidelines.
Providers tell CMS it’s ‘decidedly’ the wrong time to toy with PDPM rates
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jun 03, 2021
Providers need more time before the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would implement any adjustments to PDPM payment rates, operators and associations have told the agency in official comments.
Feds pledge 30 million more coronavirus tests for 2021
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 18, 2020
The additional allotment will allow officials to keep providing Abbott BinaxNow tests to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other vulnerable groups through at least March, said...
CMS opens visitation to nursing homes after year of isolation
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 11, 2021
“Facilities should allow responsible indoor visitation at all times” — no matter the vaccination status of resident or visitor, the agency now says. Its action follows the remarkable, apparent...
Parkinson: Vaccinate all long-term care by March and slash coronavirus mortality 40 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 08, 2020
A one-month delay “could result in more than 20,000 of our residents losing their lives when a vaccine could have saved them,” AHCA / NCAL leader Mark Parkinson said Monday.