First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Jan. 27
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 27, 2022
CMS: Only fully vaccinated surveyors should be part of on-site survey teams … CMS begins posting more staffing and turnover data … Senators sponsor bipartisan bill to probe handling of U.S. pandemic...
Capping staffing agency pay rates isn’t the answer
By
Eleanor Alvarez
Jan 26, 2022
The staffing crisis in skilled nursing and assisted living centers continues to be a dire situation. As healthcare workers leave the field in record numbers, these centers have found relief by leaning...
CMS: Only fully vaccinated surveyors should be part of onsite survey teams
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 26, 2022
Surveyors who are not fully vaccinated and don’t have a COVID-19 vaccine exemption should not participate as part of the onsite survey team when inspecting certified providers, according to the Centers...
Feds must deliver immediate $5 wage increase, relief payments for LTC workers, top provider group warns
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 25, 2022
The nation’s second largest nursing home association is demanding the Biden administration “immediate relief” for aging services providers that would include a $5 per hour wage increase and a one-time...
FDA halts use of REGEN-COV, Eli Lilly monoclonal antibodies
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
The Food and Drug Administration has revoked its emergency use authorizations for two monoclonal antibody cocktails that have served as COVID-19 treatment mainstays in long-term care facilities.
Dietary protein often too high in seniors with kidney disease, nephrologists say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
Study results underscore the need for a thorough nutritional review and intervention in this population, investigators say.
FDA expands use of remdesivir to skilled nursing, other non-hospital settings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 25, 2022
Remdesivir, the first FDA-approved COVID-19 drug, now can be used in adult and pediatric patients with mild-to moderate COVID-19 illness at high risk of progressing to severe disease, the agency has announced.
Pharmacists poised to continue transition into direct care roles, survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 25, 2022
Pharmacists will continue to move into central roles in healthcare, including chronic disease management in the adult patient population, the authors say.
Providers face increased pressure to require booster shots for all
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 24, 2022
The pressure is mounting on nursing home operators to require residents and staff to receive COVID-19 booster shots.