U.S. labs predict COVID test delays, cite surge in demand
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2020
Long-term care facilities soon may face longer waits for PCR test results as diagnostic laboratories reach or exceed testing capacity, lab reps say. The warning comes as U.S. COVID cases spike upward.
It’s official: Community pharmacies partner with feds for COVID vaccine distribution
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2020
Future vaccines will be available to community pharmacies through partnerships with network
administrators, HHS has announced. The public-private collaboration will help cover expected distribution gaps,...
CDC toolkit covers flu vaccination for post-acute and long-term care workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2020
The toolkit offers strategies for reaching out to unvaccinated individuals, and for tracking and monitoring vaccinations as part of a quality improvement program.
New rheumatoid arthritis guidelines: Minimize steroids, add biologics, synthetics
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 10, 2020
Forthcoming guidance from the American College of Rheumatology emphasizes starting RA patients on methotrexate and maximizing its use, instead of switching to other anti-rheumatics.
FDA advisers vote ‘no’ on drug that may slow Alzheimer’s progression
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 09, 2020
If approved by the FDA, aducanumab would be the first-ever drug marketed to slow progression of the brain-wasting disease, according to its developer. But an advisory committee was unconvinced of the drug’s...
Avoid ‘over-reliance’ on respirators, OSHA urges LTC operators in new guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 05, 2020
The agency has issued new respiratory protection guidance for long-term care industry workers with the goal of preserving supplies of N95 face masks.
Expect false positives: FDA letter to providers explains COVID antigen test results
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 05, 2020
The agency clarifies that rapid antigen tests, “like all diagnostic tests,” are subject to false positive results, especially in low prevalence settings. It offers recommendations for administering...
CMS test protocol misses too many asymptomatic workers: statewide COVID study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2020
If the goal is to identify all asymptomatic nursing home staff, comprehensive repeat testing may be needed regardless of COVID positivity rates in the community, investigators told McKnight’s.
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...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Nov. 3
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2020
CMS unveils new one-stop online info source for nursing home providers … CMS wants feedback on using COVID vaccination rates as a plan performance measure … High blood pressure while sleeping raises...