Senior care scores some wins in congressional budget deal
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 21, 2022
A Congressional spending package for fiscal year 2023 supports key healthcare policy requests important to long-term care industry stakeholders, saving some clinicians and services from feared cuts.
Two years into pandemic, we’re better prepared to fight off virus variants
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2021
Despite the threat of the quickly spreading and highly mutated omicron coronavirus variant — which has just landed in the U.S. — we are safer than we were before the pandemic, some experts say.
California nursing home visitors must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2021
The state is requiring that all indoor visitors to skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare settings prove full vaccination or negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. Facility operators must have a plan...
Simulation training only a ‘partial solution’ for nursing shortage, LTC nurse leader says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 19, 2023
Nursing students in New York state will now be able to complete up to one-third of their clinical training through simulation experiences. But more investment will be needed to build back the workforce,...
As respiratory diseases spike, CDC urges clinicians to offer vaccines, antivirals
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 08, 2022
U.S. health officials have asked clinicians to help lessen the impact of an exceptional respiratory virus season on seniors and other vulnerable Americans.
Q&A: Maryland SNF joins ‘transformative’ palliative care study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 07, 2022
Meadow Park in Catonsville, MD, will receive a $15,000 grant and gain the support of study partners in a palliative care program that it says will help change how the long-term care industry provides advanced...
Health officials take aim at hepatitis with $11B plan, HBV screening update
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 13, 2023
An $11 billion campaign has been proposed to eliminate hepatitis C infections. And the CDC has expanded its recommendations for hepatitis B screening to include all adults.
CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...