FDA mulling COVID-19 boosters for elderly, immunocompromised
By
Ron Rajecki
Mar 24, 2023
The Food and Drug Administration reportedly is considering a new round of COVID-19 booster shots for individuals who are at high risk of severe disease, including those aged 65 or more years or those who...
CDC: Deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria jumped 15% in 2020
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jul 13, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has “pushed back years of progress” in combating antimicrobial resistance in the United States, the CDC reports.
Multiple jobs held by nurses, direct care workers tied to coronavirus transmission
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 09, 2020
Many healthcare workers with secondary jobs move across health settings, and 15% of second jobs for personal care and nursing aides are in other essential occupations, investigators say.
CMS: Lower COVID rates linked to higher nursing home quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 02, 2021
Higher facility star ratings are tied to lower COVID transmission rates and fewer deaths, according to the agency’s chief medical officer and director of its Center for Clinical Standards and Quality.
Staff and residents differ in willingness to be vaccinated
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 04, 2021
There is a distinct contrast between the numbers of long-term care staff members and residents willing to receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccines, industry observers report. Education is key to supporting...
Diaries of infection preventionists offer peek into pandemic struggles
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 06, 2021
Real-time reports from the height of the pandemic offer a glimpse into the highs and lows infection preventionists faced as they tackled unprecedented challenges.
LTC, community pharmacies vie for role in federal COVID vaccine initiative
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 23, 2020
Nursing home and assisted living operators should talk with their existing pharmacy provider about their capability to participate in the federal government’s new COVID-19 vaccine delivery program,...
Nursing home staff vaccinations get a boost thanks to New York mandate; delta ups jabs nationwide
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 29, 2021
By midnight of its Monday deadline, New York state saw vaccination rates rise to 92% among nursing home and hospital workers, according to a new report.
Medicare Advantage slowing COVID discharges to SNFs: report
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 02, 2021
A new report finds Medicare Advantage restrictions are also creating log jams in hospitals desperate to discharge patients to post-acute care and free up needed beds.
Study: LTC residents with COVID-19 at risk for polypharmacy, new drug interactions
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 12, 2022
Across 41 Texas long-term care facilities, nearly 20% of residents with COVID-19 had drug-drug interactions related to treatment, and one-third continued new meds 30 days after diagnosis.