CMS must refine data on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, OIG says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
The Minimum Data Set should not be CMS’ sole source for determining the number of nursing home residents using antipsychotic drugs, according to a new report from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.
Dementia risk rises with younger age of type 2 diabetes onset: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 30, 2021
The odds of dementia in later life are greater the younger an adult is when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, investigators say. But prediabetes and late-life diabetes diagnoses are not linked to subsequent...
Reform policies ‘double down’ on decades-long failures, LTC physicians warn
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 07, 2022
The Biden administration’s approach toward nursing home reform uses the unsuccessful and “punitive” tactics that haven’t proved to advance quality for years, according to a top industry group.
Multiple states using strike teams to combat COVID-19 in nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 24, 2020
Multiple local and state health officials are leveraging strike teams to help nursing home providers fighting coronavirus outbreaks in their facilities. The strategy is proven to be helpful for many states...
Persistent low wages linked to cognitive decline in first study of its kind
Aug 05, 2022
Having sustained low wages is linked to faster memory decline, according to new findings from researchers at Columbia University.
Despite PPE, healthcare workers face greater risk of positive COVID-19 test
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Frontline providers with access to “adequate” personal protective equipment are three times more likely to test positive for the coronavirus than the general public. The rate rises to fivefold among...
Expert urges providers to show extra legal vigilance in COVID era
By
Liza Berger
Jan 08, 2021
A top legal adviser is cautioning skilled nursing providers to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to the latest guidance and regulations during the national public health emergency, when the threat of...
Equal pay for equal work? Has MedPAC lost its mind?
By
John O'Connor
Mar 07, 2016
If you are a post-acute provider, the big health news last week was not Donald Trump unveiling his post-Obamacare blueprint. It was the fact that MedPAC is getting closer to a rather brazen new approach...
CDC: Many COVID-19 infections undetected in healthcare workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 02, 2020
A study of more than 3,200 providers has found a high proportion with evidence of a previous infection and no prior diagnosis and/or symptoms.
All nursing homes should have POC testing devices by end of September
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 27, 2020
About 5,600 point-of-care testing devices have been shipped to nursing homes so far, a top federal official revealed this week.