CMS update for long-term care: J&J vaccine interruption and signs of rare clotting
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
Concerned LTCF staff members and residents should be aware that cases of blood clots after vaccination appear to be “extremely rare,” CMS says. Nevertheless, the agency is encouraging healthcare...
Coronavirus rates drop 96% in nursing homes, but some see first-ever cases in new year
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 31, 2021
More than 430 nursing homes saw their first-ever COVID cases in early 2021, evidence that continued infection control measures are needed, and despite phenomenal declines in facility rates, says the U.S....
Senate report details missteps in coronavirus nursing home response
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 28, 2020
Federal lawmakers recommended that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should revisit its infection control policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s severe impact on nursing homes.
PPE, staff shortages unchanged: CMS data show 1 in 5 facilities ‘severely’ affected
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 24, 2020
There were notable clusters of equipment shortfalls in certain states. A quarter of U.S. counties had at least 44% of nursing homes reporting low staffing levels.
CMS eases restrictions for physicians in long-term care facilities
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 12, 2020
In-person visit requirements have been lifted along with restrictions on delegating tasks to nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.
CMS: Nurse shortage means hospices can keep using contracted workers
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 08, 2014
Hospices can continue to rely on contract nurses because an ongoing nurse shortage is preventing providers from meeting their staffing needs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in a...
Why the New York Times’ ‘hatchet job’ shows better days are coming to long-term care
By
John O'Connor
Aug 26, 2014
A pall hangs over this sector at the moment, thanks to the New York Times.
Medicare should pay for skilled nursing services without a qualifying hospital stay, experts tell Senators
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 31, 2014
The time has come to eliminate hospital stay requirements for beneficiaries to qualify for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing services, experts told a Senate committee Wednesday.
AHA pushes for payment policies to benefit hospital-based skilled nursing facilities
By
Tim Mullaney
Jun 27, 2014
The government should adjust Medicare payment policies to better support the type of care provided in hospital-based skilled nursing facilities, the American Hospital Association urged in a recent letter...
The value of attending national Open Door Forum calls
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 23, 2014
I often describe the monthly CMS Open Door Forum call as a monthly staff meeting; if you miss the meeting you better read the minutes to see what projects were assigned to you!