States begin to limit coronavirus testing as turnaround times slow
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2020
Several states are rethinking their COVID-19 testing strategies, limiting tests while overburdened diagnostic laboratories catch up with backlogs of up to two weeks, according to a new report.
BREAKING: CMS resumes routine inspections for nursing home providers
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 17, 2020
After nearly five months, federal officials disclosed Monday that they are resuming routine inspections for all Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers.
The new normal: What are the activities that long-term care facilities can offer while social distancing?
By
Jordan Fuller
Aug 17, 2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic presses on, the period of social isolation is keeping families from visiting and spending time with loved ones in nursing homes. The challenge of keeping residents 6 feet apart...
Vetting COVID-19 vaccine in bariatric population is essential, investigator says
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2020
Judging from the performance of other vaccines, some experts are concerned that a COVID-19 inoculation will be less effective in people with obesity than for those with a lower body mass.
Expert warns: Upcoming flu plus COVID-19 season will be ‘like nothing we’ve seen before’
By
Liza Berger
Aug 17, 2020
This year’s looming flu season, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, is going to present a new range of challenges, one of the leading pharmacy quality experts in the country said late last week.
Emergency funding, staffing have been key factors for provider’s survival during COVID-19
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 17, 2020
On several occasions, the challenge has been different from others for Danny Williams, president and CEO of Eliza Bryant Village in Cleveland. The recurring inquiry he receives? “How is it that a small,...
Nursing homes criticize CMS chest-thumping about $15.5M pandemic fines, severe citations
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 17, 2020
Nursing home operators were left shaking their heads and criticizing the Trump administration over the weekend after the latter touted larger than usual numbers of serious citations and fine amounts against...
Game changer for long-term care? More like a game ender
By
John O'Connor
Aug 17, 2020
New survey numbers from the American Health Care Association paint an industry portrait that is anything but flattering. Shocking might be more like it.
Taking time to connect and renew — we need it now more than ever
By
Penny Cook
Aug 16, 2020
In 1997, a group of 32 people gathered in Rochester, New York, with a belief that the world of nursing homes should and could be different. They decided to formalize their gathering, named themselves the...
Clinical Briefs for Monday, August 17
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2020
Omnicare layoffs fuel speculation about possible CVS marketplace exit … CMS ‘deeply concerned’: COVID-19 cases in nursing homes escalate nationally … U.S. counties with more Black residents...