Residents in unionized nursing homes less likely to die of COVID-19, analysis shows
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 14, 2020
Nursing homes with a unionized workforce were less likely to have COVID-19 deaths when compared to facilities without healthcare worker unions, according to a study in Health Affairs. The findings support...
LTC pharmacists expect to play major role in COVID-19 vaccine distribution, administration
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 13, 2020
America’s long-term care pharmacists are preparing to play a major role in the distribution and administration of a COVID-19 vaccine, from moving vials to facilities to educating providers on packaging...
Testing expenses could reach $15,000 per week for large nursing homes: report
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 11, 2020
It could cost larger nursing homes up to $15,000 per week to comply with new COVID-19 testing requirements for staff members, according to a report released this week by LeadingAge.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Sept. 11
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 10, 2020
Urinary culture intervention leads to fewer antibiotic prescriptions … Sleep apnea tied to higher spine fracture risk in women … Scientists: Quiet zones in indoor spaces like dining rooms may limit...
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed the need for repeated testing among staff members to stop the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
Pandemic hasn’t stopped musician’s regular performances at long-term care facilities
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 10, 2020
A Michigan-based musician isn’t letting the coronavirus pandemic stop him from bringing residents joy through his performances.
Laundry practices often overlooked in infection control, accreditor says
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 09, 2020
Laundry practices deserve a bigger role in COVID-19 prevention strategies for nursing homes and senior living communities, experts warn.
Minimizing the impact of touch starvation in long-term care residents
By
Jennifer Birdsall
Sep 09, 2020
What is touch starvation? Also known as “touch deprivation,” “skin hunger” or “hug deprivation,” touch starvation is what occurs when a person’s exposure to physical contact has been significantly...
Feds ramp up COVID-19 testing efforts at nursing homes with release of 750k more POC supplies
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 09, 2020
Nursing homes in areas with the high COVID-19 positivity rates will be receiving another point-of-care testing option from the federal government starting next week.
Vitamin D deficiency may nearly double coronavirus risk, study finds
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 08, 2020
Researchers determined that the relative risk of testing positive for COVID-19 was 1.77 times greater for patients with a deficiency of the vitamin compared with those who had a sufficient supply.