For more than a year, America’s nursing homes have been besieged by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has tragically claimed the lives of more than 130,000 residents and 1,600 staff. While America’s nursing...
COVID-19 strategies: WWOT (What would Oprah think?)
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 02, 2021
I have a message for the Department of Health and Human Services: “Boy, do you have a problem.”
Feds pledge another $225 million for COVID-19 testing in skilled nursing
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 18, 2021
President Joe Biden’s administration is allocating an additional $225 million to purchase millions more rapid, point-of-care antigen tests for long-term care facilities.
HHS nominee emphasizes COVID-19 data reporting
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 25, 2021
President Joe Biden’s pick to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services stressed the importance of states accurately reporting COVID-19 data — with an emphasis on nursing...
Feds moving on records access enforcement
By
David Barmak, J.D.
Feb 08, 2021
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights continues to carefully move forward to ensure compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s Right...
Federal watchdog stresses need for retroactive COVID-19 death and case data from nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 29, 2021
Federal health agencies are being pressured again to retroactively collect data on COVID-19 deaths and cases from nursing homes to improve the government’s response to the pandemic.
Nursing home penalties may rise in wake of AARP lawsuit alleging ‘weak’ CMS enforcement, endangered...
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 20, 2021
Nursing home operators should be on high alert for potential rule changes regarding civil monetary penalties after a lawsuit was filed against federal health agencies Sunday that targets a 2017 rule that...
A potential ‘miracle’? Feds push monoclonal antibody treatments toward SNFs
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 19, 2021
COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies are now widely available for use by skilled nursing facilities — and early results show promise, according to long-term care pharmacy leaders.
‘Significant ramp-up’ of vaccinations coming for long-term care; AHCA happy with process
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 07, 2021
Vaccination efforts in long-term care facilities are expected to accelerate noticeably in the coming days and weeks, the nation’s top federal health official asserted Wednesday.
Feds distributing 30 million more rapid BinaxNOW tests
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 18, 2020
The Department of Health and Human Services is sending another 30 million Abbott BinaxNOW rapid tests to support vulnerable populations, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home health...