McDonald’s versus long-term care: How nursing homes can compete for staff
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Sep 22, 2020
Recent calls1, 2, 3 for an increase in nursing staff levels may have providers wondering how to accomplish this. Under normal circumstances it can be challenging to find qualified individuals; the pandemic...
County COVID-19 rates will dictate staff testing frequency, new CMS guidance says
By
Liza Berger
Aug 27, 2020
Routine testing of staff now will be based on the level of COVID-19 activity in the community. That’s according to official new guidance released Wednesday in response to federal regulatory changes disclosed...
Nearly 12k nursing homes receiving point-of-care testing in second distribution wave
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 24, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has unveiled the names of nursing homes set to receive the COVID-19 point-of-care testing devices in its second wave.
CDC revises COVID-19 testing guidelines for nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 16, 2020
The agency has updated and consolidated the guidelines, including a recommendation that individuals not be tested more than once in 24 hours.
Federal stockpile of masks, gloves and gowns nearly gone
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 09, 2020
The Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed that about 90% of federally held PPE has been distributed to state and local governments.
Pharmacies to long-term care: Get in front of COVID-19 vaccination questions
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 07, 2020
With vaccine approval anticipated shortly, the best communicators will have the smoothest Phase 1 vaccination process, say Omnicare and PharMerica. Community pharmacies have recommendations as well.
Expect ‘explosion’ of operator partnerships to follow COVID-fueled collaboration, experts say
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 28, 2021
COVID-19 has accelerated partnerships in long-term care, but experts predict the industry is likely to see even more dramatic merger activity as providers realize the benefits of shared leadership, clinical...
Senators propose $25K pay increases for essential workers; nurse practitioners gain privileges at nursing...
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 10, 2020
Essential workers on the frontline of the coronavirus, like those in nursing homes, could see a pay increase of up to $25,000 under a federal lawmaker’s proposal.
Feds: Labs ‘caught up’ on COVID-19 test backlog
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 21, 2020
Coronavirus test availability is increasing following a surge in demand and other events that created shortages and longer wait times for results, a federal health official says.
Feds to reimburse providers for counseling patients to self-isolate
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
Existing E/M codes can be used to bill for counseling patients about virus mitigation at the time of COVID-19 testing, according to CMS and the CDC.