Ahead of Saturday’s third anniversary of the pandemic’s official declaration, one infection preventionist who spent much of COVID’s first year on frontlines in multiple states reflected on the challenges...
Researchers identify weak links in nursing homes’ COVID defense
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 07, 2023
Vaccination rates for COVID-19 for nightshift workers in nursing homes significantly lag their dayshift counterparts, creating a higher-risk environment for residents and other staff, according to new...
Federal COVID vaccine mandate didn’t cause staffing shortages: research
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 10, 2023
The federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate did not significantly reduce staffing levels in nursing homes despite predicted “gloom and doom” scenarios by opponents of the vaccine and mandates at any level,...
Also in the News for Wednesday, Jan. 4
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 04, 2023
COVID hospitalizations approach last summer’s high, but flu and RSV cases waning … NC nursing home to pay $126K after storm-related staff shortages, two patient deaths … FDA decision on experimental...
Study confirms effectiveness of bivalent COVID booster; AHCA helps spread word
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2022
New data and support materials are available for clinicians who want to encourage more residents and staff to get the updated COVID-19 booster shot.
GAO report links length of nursing home COVID outbreaks to 4 factors
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 20, 2022
Facilities in counties with low community spread had outbreaks that were seven days shorter than those in counties with high transmission rates, among other key factors.
White House declares nursing home staff can now help with booster shots
By
Joe Bush
Dec 19, 2022
To battle low uptake of the latest COVID-19 omicron booster shots in the US’s nursing homes, the White House has announced that facility staff can now administer shots, a big win for many, said one of...
Updated: 22 states petition CMS to repeal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 17, 2022
A coalition of 22 states led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen (R), today formally called on the Biden administration to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for nursing home and other healthcare...
Nursing shortage is affecting patient care, nurses charge in poll
By
Diane Eastabrook
Nov 11, 2022
The nursing shortage is taking a toll on patients, according to respondents in a recent poll by nurse staffing platform Connectrn.
Report rips EMTs in $100 million lawsuit who misstated law to avoid entering COVID facility to help cardiac...
By
Joe Bush
Nov 08, 2022
Firefighters who refused to enter a nursing home over COVID-19 concerns while a cardiac arrest victim was stricken inside drew fierce criticism from a city-commissioned report.