CMS seeks to ease COVID staff testing burden on rural operators
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 01, 2020
Some nursing homes have been required to conduct staff testing at a higher frequency than necessary, the agency said in explaining recent changes to its testing methodology.
Medical director shares wins, challenges of nursing home’s pandemic response
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 23, 2020
Once described as the epicenter of West Virginia’s COVID-19 outbreak, a 100-bed facility gained control of its infection and mortality rate. A new study details its most helpful strategies — and biggest...
CDC releases guidance for COVID-19 rapid antigen testing
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 21, 2020
The guidance arrives on the heels of a federal campaign to issue on-site COVID-19 testing equipment to nursing homes. AHCA/NCAL has summarized key points relevant to operators.
Feds: Labs ‘caught up’ on COVID-19 test backlog
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 21, 2020
Coronavirus test availability is increasing following a surge in demand and other events that created shortages and longer wait times for results, a federal health official says.
Six states join coronavirus test-purchasing compact; VA tries statewide COVID app
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 06, 2020
The governors of six states, including Republicans and Democrats, have formed an interstate compact to negotiate the purchase of 3 million COVID-19 antigen tests.
Nursing facilities in ‘hot spots’ to receive first batch of COVID-19 test equipment
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2020
About 2,000 nursing homes in regions where COVID-19 case counts are high will be the first to receive on-site diagnostic testing equipment from the federal government.
Campaign urges Congress to end ‘national nightmare’ of COVID-19 and protect older adults, caregivers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 18, 2020
The Act for Older Adults campaign calls for a comprehensive relief package, including ‘hero’ pay and paid sick leave for care providers, and a $100 billion emergency fund.
CDC revises COVID-19 testing guidelines for nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 16, 2020
The agency has updated and consolidated the guidelines, including a recommendation that individuals not be tested more than once in 24 hours.
Quit treating pandemic’s toll on nursing homes like a ‘bad apples’ problem, expert...
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 14, 2020
It’s time for the federal government to “own” the problem of containing COVID-19 by paying for and arranging testing across nursing facilities, long-term care policy expert David Grabowski...
FDA approves fast-results antigen test for COVID-19
By
Alicia Lasek
May 11, 2020
The first federally approved test of its kind, the point-of-care diagnostic is administered using a nasal swab.