Speciality care use falls after nursing home admission: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 30, 2023
Visits drop steeply across multiple specialties after a nursing home admission, investigators say. For those with severe mental illness, visits fell by a whopping 67%.
CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...
U.S. releases Tamiflu doses from national stockpile as demand surges
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2022
The U.S. has opened more access to an influenza antiviral to help clinicians cope with rising demand during the worst flu season in a decade
Study confirms effectiveness of bivalent COVID booster; AHCA helps spread word
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2022
New data and support materials are available for clinicians who want to encourage more residents and staff to get the updated COVID-19 booster shot.
GAO report links length of nursing home COVID outbreaks to 4 factors
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 20, 2022
Facilities in counties with low community spread had outbreaks that were seven days shorter than those in counties with high transmission rates, among other key factors.
Top concern of post-acute patients is staff competence, small study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 14, 2022
Staff competence and professionalism lend confidence that restored health and independence are in sight, patients told investigators.
Portable air purifiers improve cardiovascular health in COPD, researchers find
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 06, 2022
Participants who used air purifiers with active HEPA and carbon filters had improved markers of heart health. This included a 25% increase in heart rate variability, investigators say.
Nursing shortage is affecting patient care, nurses charge in poll
By
Diane Eastabrook
Nov 11, 2022
The nursing shortage is taking a toll on patients, according to respondents in a recent poll by nurse staffing platform Connectrn.
Oral zinc reduces severe COVID in nearly 40% of patients, study finds
Nov 08, 2022
Patients who took oral zinc twice daily for 15 days had a 42% reduced likelihood of death and intensive care unit admission, a randomized controlled trial has found.
Q&A: Maryland SNF joins ‘transformative’ palliative care study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 07, 2022
Meadow Park in Catonsville, MD, will receive a $15,000 grant and gain the support of study partners in a palliative care program that it says will help change how the long-term care industry provides advanced...