Coronavirus rates drop 96% in nursing homes, but some see first-ever cases in new year
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 31, 2021
More than 430 nursing homes saw their first-ever COVID cases in early 2021, evidence that continued infection control measures are needed, and despite phenomenal declines in facility rates, says the U.S....
The hospital lobby strikes again with the ‘60% Rule’
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 08, 2008
If you haven’t noticed by now, the ballyhooed “75% Rule” has been laid to rest. Long live the “60% Rule”!
The 2023 McKnight’s Mood of the Market survey: Pay up if we’re ‘never going to get caught up’
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 31, 2023
The staffing crisis in long-term care is showing signs of easing, but many building leaders still want higher pay in exchange for the extra work they’re putting in, according to results from the fifth...
OSHA accepting new comments on healthcare worker COVID-19 protection rule
By
Lois A. Bowers
Mar 23, 2022
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is accepting additional comments as it establishes a final rule meant to protect long-term care workers and other healthcare providers from exposure to...
CMS expected to order COVID-19 reporting; nursing home deaths surpass 3,600
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 14, 2020
The Trump administration could soon require nursing homes to report all confirmed coronavirus cases to residents, their families and staff members.
Medicare audits ‘ramping up’ with isolation coding in the crosshairs
By
Josh Henreckson
Apr 22, 2024
Auditors are paying special attention to isolation and quarantine coding amid already heightened Medicare nursing home audits that are expected to increase in coming months, experts warn.
Vision impairment, blindness affect 66 percent of nursing home residents in study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 29, 2022
Vision impairment and blindness were linked to morbidity in a study across 74 facilities. But corrective lenses may play a big role in improving resident outcomes, researchers say.
Nursing home reform likely coming under Biden, experts warn
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 13, 2021
Skilled nursing and other long-term care providers may need to prepare for major nursing home reform efforts, including increased penalties, under President-elect Joe Biden’s administration, according...
Don’t shelve rapid tests as COVID cases climb, advocates implore nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2020
Industry advocates say it’s time for facility operators who have not made full use of rapid antigen tests to start doing so — before nursing home deaths begin to spike again. CMS must “take to...
New cases of antifungal-resistant yeast infections in nursing homes alarm CDC
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 26, 2021
For the first time, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has identified U.S. nursing home residents and hospital patients with candida auris yeast infections that resist all first-line antifungal...