CMS opens visitation to nursing homes after year of isolation
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 11, 2021
“Facilities should allow responsible indoor visitation at all times” — no matter the vaccination status of resident or visitor, the agency now says. Its action follows the remarkable, apparent...
‘The right thing to do’: Providers praise CMS decision to restart nursing home visits
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 11, 2021
Federal health officials’ decision to reopen the nation’s nursing homes to visitors Wednesday was “the right thing” to do, leading long-term care advocates said. The decision was made in light...
Long-term care providers want updated visitation guidance after CDC eases rules for others fully vaccinated
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 09, 2021
Long-term care providers are seeking clarity on nursing home visitation after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday issued new guidance relaxing restrictions for fully vaccinated people...
NHSN reporting, infection control among top survey citations this year
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 05, 2021
Failure to report COVID-19 data to the National Health Safety Network (NHSN) and infection prevention & control deficiencies have been among the top survey citations for nursing home providers, according...
AHCA, LeadingAge set goal of 75% staff vaccination before July
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 26, 2021
Three-quarters of all nursing home workers would be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by summertime if an initiative launched Thursday by the nation’s top two provider groups proves successful.
Essential caregiver programs proliferate, require careful balance of compliance and companionship considerations
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 26, 2021
Providers establishing essential caregiver programs will likely face a balancing act between complying with federal and state guidance and addressing resident isolation — issues that will continue as...
Time to allow visits: Vaccine success supports reopening in long-term care, advocates say
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 26, 2021
State and federal officials are being urged to ease visitation restrictions as COVID-19 vaccinations continue and cases fall among residents.
‘Balance has tipped’: It’s time to ease up on visitation regulations, nursing homes tell feds
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 25, 2021
Long-term care providers are calling on the federal government to remove regulations that base nursing home indoor visitations on COVID-19 positivity rates in the area now that vaccine coverage is widespread...
CMS: Visitation restrictions must remain; prepare for return of less-collaborative surveys
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 12, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is not ready to update nursing home visitation guidance, despite a significant drop in COVID-19 cases following widespread resident vaccinations, a top official...
Vaccine successes: LTC advocates share effective tools to increase inoculation confidence among staff
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 20, 2021
Vaccine educational activities have been a key strategy used by providers in order to ensure widespread uptake among their staff members, according to the nation’s top nursing home groups.