Spring has sprung and I am finally seeing my neighbors in their yards again. We’re washing cars, watering seedlings, rototilling and playing with our dogs. I have a neighbor who is a very smart and...
Nursing home COVID deaths level off, likely due to visits, unvaccinated staff, AARP reports
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 14, 2021
The virus remains a threat, with more than 10,000 residents and staff members contracting the disease and 800 dying from it each month in federally certified facilities, according to a new analysis of...
A silver lining to vaccine hesitancy
By
Gary Tetz
Jun 10, 2021
One of many puzzling memories from my childhood is witnessing my father’s failed attempt late one dark Canadian night to convince an unwilling horse to walk up a rickety ramp into the back of our pickup...
Engaging CNAs in COVID vaccination: 4 points to consider
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
“Providing CNAs with information, resources, support, and opportunity will not only serve to improve vaccine receptivity, but may also have downstream benefits,” say geriatric nursing experts from...
Large VA study reveals ease of COVID-19 transmission among unvaccinated healthcare staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
Investigators found nearly 20 times the rate of COVID-19 infection in unvaccinated healthcare staff, plus signs that transmission clusters were linked to those workers.
Use the ‘5 C’s’ to tackle COVID vaccine hesitancy, physicians say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 04, 2021
The reasons for vaccine hesitancy — a delay in acceptance or refusal to be vaccinated — can be boiled down to five important factors that may help clinicians understand and better approach this issue,...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, May 27
By
Alicia Lasek
May 27, 2021
Hawaii’s LTC facilities beat mainland trends with 84% staff vaccination rate … Texas governor signs bill that publicizes nursing home and assisted living disease outbreak data… COVID vaccine increases...
Build vaccine trust, vaccination rates among CNAs: HHS releases guide
By
Alicia Lasek
May 25, 2021
A comprehensive new guide and toolkit are aimed at helping nursing home administrators tackle issues of vaccine hesitancy among certified nursing assistants, as well as barriers to vaccination.
Mandate staff vaccines or promote them with a $1K bonus? Which one works best might surprise you.
By
Danielle Brown
May 11, 2021
Two nursing home providers in separate areas of the United States were able to far exceed national averages for COVID-19 vaccination among staff members, despite using contrasting methods — a $1,000...
An inside look at one state’s push to keep at least 90% of LTC residents vaccinated
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 07, 2021
Long-term care residents in Ohio were among the first in the nation to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. More than 1,500 facilities there are now participating in a state program that seeks to maintain momentum.