Minimizing the impact of touch starvation in long-term care residents
By
Jennifer Birdsall
Sep 09, 2020
What is touch starvation? Also known as “touch deprivation,” “skin hunger” or “hug deprivation,” touch starvation is what occurs when a person’s exposure to physical contact has been significantly...
Vitamin D deficiency may nearly double coronavirus risk, study finds
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 08, 2020
Researchers determined that the relative risk of testing positive for COVID-19 was 1.77 times greater for patients with a deficiency of the vitamin compared with those who had a sufficient supply.
Lab’s COVID testing errors ‘sowed fear,’ cost operators tens of thousands of dollars
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 08, 2020
Some nursing home operators were forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars and face staffing shortages following testing errors by a Massachusetts laboratory.
CMS issues additional FAQs on Provider Relief Fund for Medicare providers
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 31, 2020
Providers should not offset their expenses on the Medicare Cost Report based on the relief fund payments they’ve received. That’s according to a newly released document from the Centers for Medicare...
County COVID-19 rates will dictate staff testing frequency, new CMS guidance says
By
Liza Berger
Aug 27, 2020
Routine testing of staff now will be based on the level of COVID-19 activity in the community. That’s according to official new guidance released Wednesday in response to federal regulatory changes disclosed...
Short-term solutions won’t help nursing homes, LTSS system, expert warns
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 24, 2020
Financial relief from the government and liability protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits won’t be enough to fix long standing flaws in the long-term services and supports system, a leading expert...
Diary of a new hire
By
Nancy Anderson, RN, MA
Aug 18, 2020
While employee retention is always a top priority, operating in a pandemic intensifies the urgency to hire and maintain competent, committed staff. Since the first three months of employment are particularly...
Looking at COVID-19 through the eyes of residents with dementia
By
P.K. Beville
Aug 10, 2020
When I was in graduate school as a single parent, barely making ends meet, I lamented to my mother in loud, ugly sobs that I thought I might be going crazy. I was serious. My mother calmly responded,...
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.
‘The system failed’: Experts lay plans for reforming long-term care after pandemic
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 04, 2020
Now is the opportunity for providers, policymakers and other stakeholders to aggressively reform the long-term services and supports system after its underlying weaknesses were exposed under pandemic conditions,...