AHRQ offers new nursing home audit resources aimed at COVID prevention
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 05, 2021
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released a comparison tool for differentiating competency checks vs. observational audits, and a step-by-step guide to help establish an effective observational...
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....
Long-term care staff warm up to vaccine with 94 percent increase in willingness
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 24, 2021
The latest surveys show a major shift in LTC staff members’ willingness to receive a coronavirus shot, and that healthcare workers are the most trusted source of vaccine information nationally.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, March 23
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 23, 2021
Scientists urge recognition of COVID’s potential link to hearing loss … Civitas Senior Living joins providers mandating employee COVID vaccination … States open visitation: Essential caregivers training...
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.
Some home care services may foster frailty, whereas PT prevents decline, data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2021
Frail elders who enrolled in a state Medicaid HCBS and used home nurse services were more likely to experience functional decline than those who did not. Their peers who received physical therapy were...
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...
Trio is trouble in assisted living: Risky neuro drug combos too common, dementia expert says
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 11, 2021
Fully one in seven people with dementia who do not live in nursing homes are taking at least three drugs that act on the central nervous system — beyond the advised limit, a new study finds.
Revised CDC mask, visitation, quarantine guidance applies to staff — outside of work
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 09, 2021
People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may now safely gather indoors and even visit low-risk, unvaccinated people in non-healthcare settings. How LTC staff members should balance the changes...
Physicians warn of delayed skin reactions to COVID vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 08, 2021
Clinicians should be aware of injection-site reactions that may occur about a week after receiving Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine and which may be confused with skin infection, say physicians from Massachusetts...