CMS to providers: If no tests, don’t deny visitors
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 03, 2022
States can require long-term care facilities to test visitors for COVID-19 before allowing them entry into their buildings, but the onus is on providers to supply tests, according to the Centers for Medicare...
Vaccine campaigns weren’t effective in increasing rates among SNF residents, staff
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 03, 2022
COVID-19 vaccination campaigns with multiple components — such as town hall meetings, educational materials and gifts — did not significantly boost uptake rates among skilled nursing staff, according...
CMS memo: ‘Dramatic staff losses’ not happening due to vax requirements
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 02, 2022
Declaring once again that “Vaccine requirements work,” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on Tuesday urged healthcare facility administrators to increase...
Governors ask for limited waivers on vaccine mandate
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 02, 2022
A pair of Republican governors have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for temporary relief from the healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine mandate for rural providers and state-run facilities.
Providers must change treatment of healthcare workers to survive COVID-19 storm, avert ‘implosion’
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 01, 2022
The likelihood that long-term care and other providers survive severe staffing shortages and COVID-19 crisis will depend on their ability to change how healthcare workers are treated so they can continue...
Surveyors citing more nursing homes for limiting visitors
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 01, 2022
The number of nursing homes cited nationally for impeding residents’ right to have visitors jumped 250% in the most recent survey cycle, a new analysis shows.
Essential long-term care leadership on display
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 27, 2022
A top long-term care executive candidly displayed the most important traits of great leadership Thursday, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
Feds giving providers $2 billion more for COVID expenses — $25 billion more requested
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 27, 2022
Another $2 billion in Provider Relief Funds is becoming available starting this week, federal health officials said.
COVID-19 more than twice as likely to spread with heavy agency staffing onsite, study shows
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 27, 2022
Senior care facilities that rely significantly on mobile agency staffing may be two and a half times more likely to spread COVID-19 to residents than those with more stable staffing, a Scottish study has...