FDA: Viral mutations unlikely to cause false negatives in COVID-19 tests
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2021
The agency has alerted healthcare providers that it is monitoring approved SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests to ensure that new viral mutations do not alter their accuracy.
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.
Nursing facilities in ‘hot spots’ to receive first batch of COVID-19 test equipment
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2020
About 2,000 nursing homes in regions where COVID-19 case counts are high will be the first to receive on-site diagnostic testing equipment from the federal government.
‘Federal government needs to own’ COVID-19 issues, better help nursing homes, expert says
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 15, 2020
Federal authorities need to stop the blame game and take more responsibility getting vital testing, protective equipment and other needed elements to nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, a leading...
Judge slaps nationwide freeze on healthcare worker COVID vax mandate
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 01, 2021
A Louisiana federal judge on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration’s mandate that says all healthcare workers involved in the Medicare or Medicaid programs must be...
Untracked COVID: Nursing home workers have died at twice the rate of hospital workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 09, 2021
Nursing home care providers have the sad distinction of accounting for a large proportion of healthcare workers’ COVID deaths, according to new 2020 data that was not tracked by the U.S. government....
Seniors are absent — but necessary — in COVID-19 vaccine trials, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 29, 2020
With older adults frequently excluded in COVID-19 clinical trials, investigators are concerned that they will ultimately be denied treatments and vaccines due to safety concerns.
CDC director talks to McKnight’s about flu season, COVID-19 mitigation and nursing home data
By
Liza Berger
Jul 17, 2020
Senior Editor Liza Berger spoke with Robert Redfield, M.D., about some of the most pressing issues in the eldercare industry.
CMS to use staffing data to assess PPE needs; freezes star ratings
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 27, 2020
Providers’ staffing totals will be used to address their personal protective equipment needs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new memo from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Point-of-care testing could be ‘biggest advance’ in COVID-19 fight
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 10, 2020
The federal government’s point-of-care testing program for nursing homes — outside of a future potential vaccine — could be the “biggest advance” of all in the fight against the coronavirus crisis,...