First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
Feds giving providers $2 billion more for COVID expenses — $25 billion more requested
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 27, 2022
Another $2 billion in Provider Relief Funds is becoming available starting this week, federal health officials said.
COVID-19 more than twice as likely to spread with heavy agency staffing onsite, study shows
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 27, 2022
Senior care facilities that rely significantly on mobile agency staffing may be two and a half times more likely to spread COVID-19 to residents than those with more stable staffing, a Scottish study has...
CMS: Only fully vaccinated surveyors should be part of onsite survey teams
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 26, 2022
Surveyors who are not fully vaccinated and don’t have a COVID-19 vaccine exemption should not participate as part of the onsite survey team when inspecting certified providers, according to the Centers...
New employment rules offer nursing homes short-term fixes
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 25, 2022
Rules about who can work in nursing homes under what circumstances are changing across the country as providers continue to grapple with unprecedented staffing challenges.
Another state agrees to short-term regulatory relief
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 25, 2022
Rhode Island providers received a month-long delay from a new law that requires nursing homes to meet minimum staffing requirements or face fines.
Hospital discharge pressures build as nursing homes clamor for help
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 25, 2022
Increased COVID-19 case counts at nursing homes nationwide have prevented hospitals from discharging patients into skilled nursing facilities due to a lack of beds.
Providers face increased pressure to require booster shots for all
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 24, 2022
The pressure is mounting on nursing home operators to require residents and staff to receive COVID-19 booster shots.
Debate over visitor access rages as more states require vaccination
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 21, 2022
Operators need more flexible federal guidance regarding visitor access to nursing homes to protect their facilities during community COVID-19 surges without fear of falling out of compliance.
A warning if you accepted Provider Relief Funds: Prepare to be audited
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 20, 2022
Skilled nursing providers who accepted Provider Relief Funds should prepare for widespread audits by later this year.