NHSN changes definition of ‘up to date’ for COVID shots
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 21, 2022
The National Healthcare Safety Network has modified its definition of “up to date” for long-term care facilities submitting their COVID-19 data to the system. Now it includes a booster shot.
CMS no longer requiring surveyors to be fully vaccinated in order to inspect facilities
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 17, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has rescinded guidance that says surveyors who are not fully vaccinated shouldn’t participate on the onsite survey team when inspecting certified providers.
CMS reducing vaccine mandate compliance surveys
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 16, 2022
Inspectors for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will no longer check for provider compliance with the staff COVID-19 vaccine mandate during all surveys.
CMS withholds another $1-plus million over vaccine mandate compliance
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 14, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has withheld $1.2 million in funding from Florida over the state’s refusal to monitor facilities ability to meet the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement...
Nursing home complaint backlog worse than expected: report
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 14, 2022
Just 51% of nursing home complaints filed with New York’s Department of Health have been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic after the agency reported an 87% closure rate in the two years prior, according...
Inflation jumps 8.5% in a year for nursing goods and services, tripling the number of residents at risk...
By
Danielle Brown
May 26, 2022
Rising inflation and increased labor costs are multiplying the risk of closure for skilled nursing facilities across the country, according to a new analysis released Wednesday by CliftonLarsenAllen and...
Surgeon general rings alarm over healthcare worker burnout
By
Diane Eastabrook
May 26, 2022
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murphy has proposed an action plan to address what he called a crisis of burnout and mental health issues among healthcare providers.
More testing helps slow COVID outbreak spread, but vaccine remains king
By
Danielle Brown
May 20, 2022
Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as mask wearing and increased testing, better helped skilled nursing providers minimize how many people got sick from COVID-19 even amid high community transmission,...
Seniors’ long-COVID symptoms often overlooked, confused with aging
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 19, 2022
Long COVID may hit seniors with symptoms that mimic the effects of aging — leading to oversight or misdiagnosis.
11% of state’s nursing homes facing closure, survey finds
By
Danielle Brown
May 09, 2022
About 11% of nursing home operators in Minnesota are considering selling their facility or closing their doors due to continued financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has found.