Floor swabs an early warning sign of COVID-19 outbreaks, researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
A 14-month program in 10 long-term care facilities has found that floor swabs accurately detect a COVID-19 outbreak days before it is identified by staff members.
COVID-19 mortality tied to racial disparities in nursing homes, industry expert says
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 11, 2021
Nursing homes with a non-white resident population of more than 40% have more than three times the rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths than those with fewer non-white residents, says R. Tamara Konetzka,...
Antigen tests just as effective as PCR in preventing COVID outbreaks, NIH study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
A “highly anticipated” study now shows that both testing approaches can give 98% sensitivity when used at least twice weekly in a screening program.
OSHA moves to make COVID-19-related standards permanent
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 13, 2022
After fielding comments, OSHA is moving forward with a permanent standard that aims to protect healthcare workers from exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
Nearing 2 million COVID cases, where do nursing homes now stand?
By
Josh Henreckson
Feb 20, 2024
The milestone — and millstone — of two million confirmed nursing home resident COVID-19 cases is at hand, according to the latest data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, with more than...
Headed for the Provider Relief Fund reporting portal? Consider these tips first.
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 20, 2021
Confusion and uncertainty are clouding the landscape as nursing homes across the country begin reporting lost revenues and COVID-19 related expenses that would allow them to keep their share of federal...
How to hire a new cleaning contractor post-COVID-19
By
Michael Wilson
May 06, 2021
If hiring a new cleaning contractor, the owners and managers of senior and long-term care facilities must realize that just about everything has changed. What they looked for in a cleaning contractor before...
Study points out healthcare workers’ errors adhering to COVID-19 prevention protocols
By
Kristen Fischer
Dec 07, 2023
Healthcare workers who had the highest risk for being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 also were most likely to be noncompliant with infection prevention measures, according to a new report.
FDA: Viral mutations unlikely to cause false negatives in COVID-19 tests
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2021
The agency has alerted healthcare providers that it is monitoring approved SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests to ensure that new viral mutations do not alter their accuracy.
White House urges greater use of Paxlovid as supply increases
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Apr 28, 2022
Health officials are encouraging physicians to more frequently consider prescribing the oral antiviral now that it is no longer in short supply.