CMS Open Door Forum to clarify use of H1N1 waivers
Nov 09, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host an Open Door Forum Tuesday to clarify the use of Section 1135 waivers under the H1N1 national emergency declaration.
Seniors’ H1N1 immunity could come from seasonal flu exposure, vaccinations
Oct 16, 2009
Seniors’ apparent immunity from swine flu could indicate that the human population, as a whole, has a preexisting immunity to H1N1. Such thinking would help explain why H1N1 symptoms have been generally...
First H1N1 doses to arrive Tuesday, healthcare workers likely to be first in line
Oct 05, 2009
The first round of H1N1 vaccines—roughly 600,000 doses in total—will be delivered to 25 cities and states Tuesday. Another 6 million to 7 million doses are expected to be available early next week,...
New MDS flu guidance for nursing facilities
Sep 11, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued new MDS coding guidance for skilled nursing facilities for the upcoming flu season.
Medicare to pay same rate for administering H1N1 vaccine as seasonal flu vaccine
Sep 08, 2009
Healthcare providers will receive the same Medicare payment rate to administer the H1N1 flu vaccine as the seasonal flu vaccine, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said.
Flu vaccinations critical for healthcare workers, APIC warns
Sep 01, 2009
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control released a statement Monday urging all healthcare workers to get vaccinated against both seasonal flu and H1N1. It also suggested recourse for workers...
Feds spending billions to prepare for more complex flu season
Jul 15, 2009
In light of the continued spread of the H1N1 virus and the approaching 2009-2010 flu season, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced the allocation of billions of dollars in influenza...
Older population may have better immunity to swine flu, CDC says
May 22, 2009
Here’s some good news for nursing home residents and seniors: New information is emerging that suggests those born before 1957 may be carrying a built-in immunity to the new H1N1 strain, also known...
WHO issues guidelines on hand hygiene for healthcare workers
May 08, 2009
The World Health Organization has released a new report, “Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care,” which target administrators, public health officials and healthcare workers.
CDC releases guidance for long-term care on swine flu infection
May 01, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released interim guidance for healthcare facilities, including long-term care, for care of residents with confirmed or suspected swine flu, also known...