CMS doubles down: Surveyors do not have to be COVID vaccinated
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 07, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has held audiences with skilled nursing providers, made presentations and entertained comments in recent months to assure operators that regulatory actions...
OSHA to increase COVID inspections under program targeting SNFs
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 07, 2022
A federal program that targets skilled nursing and other long-term care facilities for COVID-19 inspections and compliance is being extended past its Thursday deadline.
‘Perfect storm’ of pandemic challenges forces another facility closure
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 07, 2022
A Colorado nursing home will close its doors at the end of this month due to a “perfect storm” of pandemic-related financial challenges for the provider.
Providers to feds: Ease up on ‘restrictive’ COVID recommendations to ease staffing crunch
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 30, 2022
The nation’s second largest nursing home association has asked the Department of Health and Human Services to reevaluate several of its COVID-19 recommendations for nursing homes, saying they restrict...
Court ruling expanding range for COVID-19 lawsuits should worry long-term care providers: expert
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 29, 2022
In a first-of-its-kind ruling in the nation, a California Court of Appeals has allowed the wrongful death suit to move forward. This has sparked widespread concern from businesses about the threat of “take-home”...
Audit finds nearly one-quarter of nursing homes got vaccine exemptions in this region
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 28, 2022
More than 90% of nursing home workers received their required COVID-19 vaccine doses following the implementation of a federal mandate, according to an estimate by the Office of Inspector General.
Are you compliant? Up to date vs. fully vaccinated
By
Norris Cunningham
Angela Rinehart
Jun 27, 2022
Remember the confusion over who was eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and when? Remember the confusion over the COVID-19 vaccine mandates? Remember the confusion over the approval for the COVID-19 booster...
Fourth COVID shot better protects LTC residents against omicron, study shows
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 24, 2022
Long-term care residents who get a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are at a reduced risk of being hospitalized or dying from the disease during an omicron-related surge, Israeli researchers say.
Former DON pleads guilty to making fake COVID-19 vaccine cards
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 24, 2022
The former director of nursing at a South Carolina skilled nursing facility has pleaded guilty in a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine card case, the Department of Justice announced Thursday.
NHSN changes definition of ‘up to date’ for COVID shots
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 21, 2022
The National Healthcare Safety Network has modified its definition of “up to date” for long-term care facilities submitting their COVID-19 data to the system. Now it includes a booster shot.