COVID-19 rapid test makers struggling to meet demand
Jan 21, 2022
However, government’s order for the free test kits is in addition to existing supply and does not interfere with existing orders
White House declares nursing home staff can now help with booster shots
By
Joe Bush
Dec 19, 2022
To battle low uptake of the latest COVID-19 omicron booster shots in the US’s nursing homes, the White House has announced that facility staff can now administer shots, a big win for many, said one of...
Updated: 22 states petition CMS to repeal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers
By
Lois A. Bowers
Nov 17, 2022
A coalition of 22 states led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen (R), today formally called on the Biden administration to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for nursing home and other healthcare...
Lack of healthcare access in pandemic linked to some preventable hospital stays
By
Kristen Fischer
Jul 20, 2023
People who missed out on health-related appointments and procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic were more apt to have hospital stays that may have been preventable, according to a study in The BMJ.
New COVID-19 test kits promised as LTC operators contend with shortages, slow PCR results
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 03, 2022
Five million Celltion brand rapid tests will be shipped over a five-week period to facilities as they contend with testing supply shortages and slow lab turnaround times.
Stay on guard: Vaccinated residents remain susceptible to outbreaks, French nursing home studies reveal
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 13, 2021
Vaccinations and infection control measures may not entirely protect nursing homes from COVID-19 outbreaks — especially when staff members are unvaccinated, according to two new studies from France.
Prior bariatric surgery may protect against severe COVID-19 outcomes
Nov 17, 2021
Among COVID-19-positive adults, outcomes better for those with prior bariatric surgery versus those eligible for bariatric surgery
Pharmacies to long-term care: Get in front of COVID-19 vaccination questions
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 07, 2020
With vaccine approval anticipated shortly, the best communicators will have the smoothest Phase 1 vaccination process, say Omnicare and PharMerica. Community pharmacies have recommendations as well.
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.
Don’t shelve rapid tests as COVID cases climb, advocates implore nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2020
Industry advocates say it’s time for facility operators who have not made full use of rapid antigen tests to start doing so — before nursing home deaths begin to spike again. CMS must “take to...