Decline in nursing home residents spurs long-planned strategic moves for one operator
By
Amy Novotney
Apr 20, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has offered a bit of a silver lining for one Connecticut long-term care operator: the impetus for making long-planned strategic changes in skilled nursing and an expansion in its...
CMS update for long-term care: J&J vaccine interruption and signs of rare clotting
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
Concerned LTCF staff members and residents should be aware that cases of blood clots after vaccination appear to be “extremely rare,” CMS says. Nevertheless, the agency is encouraging healthcare...
Ransomware ‘bull’s eye’ grows, clouding telehealth’s rise in long-term care
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 19, 2021
Even as COVID-19 and its emphasis on telehealth have opened providers to greater cybersecurity risks, insurance policies that offer potential protection are becoming more expensive, and in some cases,...
Fears become reality? Surveyor may have exposed residents, staff to COVID-19
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 19, 2021
Provider concerns about surveyors potentially spreading COVID-19 throughout facilities due to a lack of required testing before entering may be justified after a report that a health department employee...
A new normal: Experts don’t see discharges to SNFs returning to former levels
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 15, 2021
Skilled nursing facilities shouldn’t expect to see discharges return to pre-COVID levels soon thanks to a fundamental shift in how hospitals, health systems and other providers view the post-acute discharge...
LTC pharmacies pivot after feds call for timeout on J&J COVID vaccine
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 14, 2021
Long-term care pharmacies have stopped using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and are awaiting further instruction from federal health officials, who recommended the halt while they investigate six...
Lesson from site of first US COVID outbreak: Staffing levels, worker support vital
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 14, 2021
Being aware of state staffing regulations and providing support to employees were crucial lessons for leaders at the Washington state nursing home that became the first U.S. site of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Judge rules COVID-related suit against provider can advance, despite state’s immunity order
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 14, 2021
A federal judge has decided that a coronavirus-based lawsuit can move forward against an Illinois nursing home, despite the state’s immunity law.
COVID-19 vaccinations are essentially at a standstill in U.S. nursing homes and assisted living communities due to federal officials’ call today for a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The $28M question: How do you get more staff to become vaccinated?
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 13, 2021
Providers aiming to increase vaccine acceptance among employees could receive up to $28 million in grant funding, thanks to a new research opportunity announced by a federal research institute.