CMS: End to pandemic waivers helps nursing homes ‘redirect efforts’ to meet residents’ needs
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 08, 2022
A sweeping phase-out of early COVID-19 pandemic allowances, such as the nurse aide certification waiver, addresses concerns about SNF residents’ physical, mental and psychosocial well-being, the agency...
Pandemic paves way for mobile dentistry, teledentistry in long-term care, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 12, 2021
Mobile dentistry for people with dementia, teledentistry, and vaccines by dentist are some of the opportunities that have arisen from disruptions to residents’ oral healthcare during the pandemic, according...
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.
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....
Nursing homes more prepared for the coronavirus than for H1N1: survey
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 26, 2020
Despite the COVID-19 troubles currently facing eldercare facilities, things could have been much worse for some, a Michigan survey suggests.
Rural seniors with dementia have longer nursing home stays, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 23, 2020
Rural Medicare recipients with Alzheimer’s and related dementias have longer nursing home stays and shorter survival time following diagnosis than their urban peers, investigators say.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Feb. 17
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 17, 2021
Nursing home PPE shortages decline, but staff shortages remain unchanged: AARP … $450 million for infection control, strike teams for nursing homes in House bill that advances … ‘Low-value’ Medicare...
Urinary test cuts antibiotics use in pneumonia, pharmacists say
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 28, 2021
Urinary antigen tests led to earlier discontinuation of certain antibiotics and shorter acute care stays in patients with pneumonia, a new study finds.
Flu shot disparities in short-stay residents could drop by 60 percent with intervention, investigators...
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 11, 2021
A dramatic racial and ethnic gap exists in influenza vaccination rates among short-stay and long-stay nursing homes residents, a new study has found.
Staff support outweighs wages as turnover solution, nursing home study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 05, 2022
A people-oriented work environment with tangible staff supports is key to minimizing turnover and care disruptions in nursing homes. It’s even more important than compensation, direct care providers...