Providers should be cautious about replacing face-to-face interactions with remote interventions, study...
By
Danielle Brown
May 27, 2020
The use of telehealth and remote interventions has been a common solution to help provide necessary health services to seniors at nursing homes due to the coronavirus pandemic. But researchers are urging...
Parkinson: On-site COVID-19 testing could be key to reducing ‘horrible’ isolation facing residents
By
Alicia Lasek
May 26, 2020
Acknowledging the devastating consequences of eldercare facility lockdowns, Mark Parkinson of the AHCA/NCAL proposes an “ideal” scenario for safely reopening to visitors.
Nurses unsafely exposed to COVID-19 at work, nationwide survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
May 26, 2020
A survey of 23,000 nurses exposes the impact of unpreparedness by employers and government, according to National Nurses United.
Clinical Briefs for Wednesday, May 27
By
Alicia Lasek
May 26, 2020
White House lowers insulin costs to $35 a month for Medicare enrollees … CMS rule changes aim to increase telehealth access for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries … Sleep disturbances appear to predict...
Simplifying telemedicine use in long-term care facilities
By
Jonathan Wiesen, M.D.
May 26, 2020
Telemedicine has become the go-to tool of choice during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep individuals, healthcare providers and staff safe. The good news for long-term care professionals is that providing...
Providers welcome additional SNF funding, but ‘more will be needed’: Genesis
By
Danielle Brown
May 26, 2020
Federal plans to distribute nearly $5 billion to skilled nursing operators to help their COVID-19 response is a good start, but it may not be enough for providers to conduct necessary testing at facilities...
Following feds’ $4.9B distribution, expert calls for regulators to address local payment inequities
By
Danielle Brown
May 26, 2020
The recent $4.9 billion funding distribution to address COVID-19 in skilled nursing facilities amounts to $50,000 for each SNF operator, plus $2,500 for each licensed bed. But a post-acute care expert...
CMS rule changes aim to increase telehealth access for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries
By
Danielle Brown
May 26, 2020
Changes under a recent final rule encourage Medicare Advantage plans to increase their telehealth benefits and plan options for beneficiaries in rural areas.
False sense of security may heighten COVID-19 risk for nurses: study
By
Alicia Lasek
May 25, 2020
Younger nurses in low-contagion hospital wards had greater infection incidence early in the outbreak, a study from China found. The likely culprit: asymptomatic patients and staff.
Wash hands 6 to 10 times a day to reduce seasonal coronavirus risk, say investigators
By
Alicia Lasek
May 25, 2020
Study participants who washed their hands this often had a 36% reduced likelihood of seasonal coronavirus infection.