Only 64 U.S. nursing homes — 0.5 percent — had no COVID-19 outbreak the last half of 2020: GAO
By
Danielle Brown
May 20, 2021
U.S. nursing homes on average have each experienced about three COVID-19 outbreaks during the ongoing public health crisis, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.
Providers push Congress for permanent telehealth capabilities — pandemic’s ‘silver lining’
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 29, 2021
Long-term care stakeholders are looking forward to telehealth policies remaining a “very, very hot topic” in Congress during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and beyond. Service providers say...
Nursing home supervisor could face criminal charges for working without a mask while ill, subsequent...
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 03, 2020
Criminal charges could be coming for a Connecticut nursing home supervisor accused of working without a mask despite being exposed to COVID-19. Days later, the staff member tested positive for the disease...
Providers with adequate equipment and training stay COVID-19 free: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2020
None of the 420 doctors and nurses participating in the study developed COVID-19-related symptoms or tested positive for antibodies after working in a high-risk environment.
COVID-19 costs should be baked into the SNF PPS payment structure for ‘foreseeable future,’ AHCA...
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 11, 2020
The federal government should integrate increased costs associated with COVID-19 care in the SNF PPS payment structure for the “foreseeable future” to ensure adequate reimbursement, according to the...
Sentrics offers facility hotline for COVID-19 communications
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 06, 2020
Sentrics’ Entertain360 division, which offers TV, phone and Internet services, can now provide a COVID-19 hotline to any senior living community that needs it — free of charge — during the pandemic....
CMS guidance on healthcare worker rule stuck amid legal challenges
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 02, 2021
Further guidance on the federal government’s healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine rule that was expected to be issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services within the next two weeks could be...
Most COVID-19 antibody treatments given in assisted living, analysts find
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 22, 2021
Fully 67% of monoclonal antibody treatments have been administered in assisted living communities. Health officials would like to encourage greater use.
Judge rules nursing home residents can vote by video, while CMS emphasizes that providers must ensure...
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 07, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services this week is reminding providers that they must ensure nursing home residents are able to exercise their right to vote during the upcoming presidential election...
Enjoy it while it lasts
By
John O'Connor
Mar 29, 2020
To be sure, the human condition is being buffeted by more than a bit of darkness these days. But don’t be blind as to what else is going on with the COVID-19 pandemic at hand.