FDA: Evusheld may be less effective against latest COVID variants
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 05, 2022
Evusheld, a preventive COVID-19 antibody for high-risk patients, may lose efficacy in the face of newly emerging variants, the FDA has informed clinicians.
APIC expert urges mask-wearing in LTC, despite guidance switch
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 04, 2022
Despite a recent shift in CDC guidance, now is not the right time for long-term care providers to relax masking and other source control use, says infection preventionist Deb Burdsall of APIC.
New McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards to honor skilled nursing veterans, others
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 03, 2022
The newest McKnight’s awards program is designed to recognize industry veterans for their accomplishments and inspiration.
CDC: Two booster shots cut severe COVID risk in nursing home residents by 74 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 03, 2022
Nursing home residents who received a second mRNA booster shot during omicron were much less likely to suffer severe COVID-19 outcomes than their peers who received only one dose, a new study shows.
Clinical briefs for Monday, Oct. 3
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 03, 2022
Florida’s “deadliest storm” puts LTC providers and home care operators to the test … Assessment expert offers advice on handling the wave of new ICD coding changes … FDA approves much-needed...
AHCA: To avoid new COVID testing citations, heed manufacturers’ use instructions
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 30, 2022
LTC facilities must adhere to manufacturers’ use instructions after a CMS change in enforcement discretion for COVID testing, the advocate says.
Measuring patient function a big hitch in creating fair, post-acute pay
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 30, 2022
As a Congressional advisory board grapples with how to bring all post-acute providers under a single payment system, the use of self-reported data continues to raise doubts about the ability to accurately...
Another survey; another big, bad, sad number
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 27, 2022
I spent nearly a month this summer examining your reflections on working in nursing homes. I read through nurse leaders’ comments about dissatisfaction with pay, the decreasing meaning in their jobs...
With new CDC guidance, providers duck ‘up-to-date’ vaccination concerns
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 27, 2022
While masking and screening of nursing home workers and visitors may no longer be required in areas with lower COVID-19 transmission rates, vaccination and testing efforts will be crucial if providers...
‘Critical Access’ nursing homes could be game changer: Focused Post-Acute Partners’ Mark McKenzie
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 26, 2022
While struggling rural nursing homes must innovate to survive, their efforts would be bolstered by a federal program similar to one that provides additional funding and staff resources to challenged rural...