Three Maine nursing homes to close for good after ‘exhausting every staffing resource’
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 03, 2021
Three rural Maine nursing homes announced their pending closures this week, all of them citing staffing challenges and the ongoing pandemic.
Orthostatic intolerance common in post-acute patients, signaling need for clinical workup
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 02, 2021
Older rehabilitation patients should be assessed for symptoms of orthostatic intolerance upon admission, a new study suggests.
FDA warns of heart-related events for arthritis drug Xeljanz and others in its class
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 02, 2021
The agency is requiring a warning label on the arthritis and ulcerative colitis drugs Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) and two other drugs in this class, citing an increased risk of adverse health...
Senators to HHS: Release Provider Relief ‘without further delay’
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 31, 2021
The Department of Health and Human Services must release unobligated money in federal Provider Relief Funds “without further delay” to prevent further financial ruin for struggling healthcare providers,...
Flu shot and a COVID jab? New 2021-2022 flu vaccine guidance points to both
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 27, 2021
Clinicians deciding whether to give flu and COVID-19 vaccine shots together can refer to the latest CDC guidance. It states that COVID-19 shots and other vaccinations may now be co-administered “without...
State pledges to pick up tab for crisis staffing at long-term care facilities
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 27, 2021
The state of Oregon is sending long-term care facilities staffing help as they respond to a surge in COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Aug. 27
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 27, 2021
Big name audio companies fill in while hearing aid reform lags: report … Second J&J shot ‘significantly’ increases COVID-19 antibodies, says firm, which heads toward approval process … AHCA releases...
CMS provides glimpse into potential vaccine mandate enforcement
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 26, 2021
Providers who fail to quickly comply with a forthcoming federal staff vaccine mandate likely won’t be stripped immediately of their Medicare and Medicaid program eligibility, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid...
LTC clinicians cheer pandemic milestone: Federal approval of first COVID-19 vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 24, 2021
Long-term care clinicians are embracing the FDA’s first full approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, saying the decision will support their efforts to increase vaccination coverage and reduce infections and...
Grabowski: Too many loopholes in federal vaccine mandate may retain staff, but endanger residents
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 24, 2021
Federal officials might pursue a regional approach or offer exemptions in finalizing a nursing home staff vaccination mandate, but it’s important they not water down the regulations so much as to undermine...