Saliva-based antigen testing better than PCR nasal swab, researchers argue
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 15, 2020
Nursing home operators may have better luck using saliva-based, rapid antigen testing for screening COVID-19 within their facilities over polymerase chaise reaction (PRC) nasal swab because of the tool’s...
‘Heartbreaking’: All contact with nursing home residents fell by more than half, study shows
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 14, 2020
Nursing home operators took limiting in-person contact with residents very seriously after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Visits of all kinds fell by 53% between March and April, new findings by...
Residents in unionized nursing homes less likely to die of COVID-19, analysis shows
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 14, 2020
Nursing homes with a unionized workforce were less likely to have COVID-19 deaths when compared to facilities without healthcare worker unions, according to a study in Health Affairs. The findings support...
Also in the News for Monday, Sept. 14
Sep 14, 2020
State orders 250K antigen tests for nursing homes … Massachusetts reform package for nursing homes includes up to $140M in investments, restructured Medicaid rates … AHCA/NCAL releases support tool...
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.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stressed the need for repeated testing among staff members to stop the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
Pandemic hasn’t stopped musician’s regular performances at long-term care facilities
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 10, 2020
A Michigan-based musician isn’t letting the coronavirus pandemic stop him from bringing residents joy through his performances.
Feds ramp up COVID-19 testing efforts at nursing homes with release of 750k more POC supplies
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 09, 2020
Nursing homes in areas with the high COVID-19 positivity rates will be receiving another point-of-care testing option from the federal government starting next week.
CMS releases county COVID data for staff testing requirements
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 08, 2020
Providers can now check how often they’ll be required to test staff members for COVID-19 after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released county coronavirus data last week.
Lab’s COVID testing errors ‘sowed fear,’ cost operators tens of thousands of dollars
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 08, 2020
Some nursing home operators were forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars and face staffing shortages following testing errors by a Massachusetts laboratory.