BREAKING: CMS sets new vaccination targets for another 24 states
By
James M. Berklan
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 14, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Friday that providers in 24 states added to the federal vaccine mandate roster Thursday have until March 15 to become fully vaccinated.
COVID test turnaround time tops 2 days for a third of nursing homes, data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 13, 2020
Among 13,000 facilities that provided their testing speed to the government, only 17% reported an average turnaround time of less than a day; and fully 29% waited three days or more on average for residents’...
Recovered COVID patients with sore throat, nasal symptoms still may test positive
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 29, 2020
Nearly 17% of hospitalized COVID patients who were considered fully recovered tested positive for the virus in follow-up screenings. Two telltale symptoms may suggest a need for repeat testing, investigators...
CDC issues new COVID infection prevention and control guidance for nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 15, 2021
A CDC Project Firstline webinar will answer clinicians’ questions on the updates, which include alternative approaches to outbreak response;
expanded screening test recommendations for healthcare...
AARP calls on nursing homes to require COVID-19 boosters for residents, staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 21, 2022
COVID-19 infections are at an all-time high among residents and staff and resident death rates are rising. Now is the time to “get shots in arms,” AARP leaders urged operators.
Neurological conditions common within 6 months of COVID diagnosis
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 08, 2021
Fully one third of patients with COVID-19 go on to develop substantial neurological and psychiatric problems, including anxiety disorder, dementia, and stroke, a new study finds. Investigators foresee...
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...
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta: Why understanding variants matters
By
Renee Kinder
Jul 29, 2021
Life over the past few weeks has felt a little too normal. Would you all agree? Like we have all just been waiting for the ball to drop, and it has, with the recommendations from the CDC on Tuesday related...
Moderna vaccine may shield more against breakthrough infections than Pfizer: study
Aug 12, 2021
Findings based on non-peer-reviewed, preprint data
Clinical briefs for Monday, Oct. 4
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 04, 2021
Patients on chemotherapy likely not fully protected by COVID vaccine … Unauthorized nursing home COVID tests lead to audit demands … ‘Game-changing’ wellness model takes person-centric approach...