Feds ramp up nursing home sanctions for poor care performance
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 24, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will more aggressively enforce accountability in its Special Focus Facilities (SFF) Program, the Biden Administration said Friday.
Stop antigen testing in skilled nursing facilities, Nevada tells operators
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 09, 2020
Nursing facilities in Nevada have been ordered to stop using COVID-19 rapid antigen tests due to apparent diagnostic inaccuracies. Health officials say they will gather more data before issuing updated...
GAO report finds ‘deficiencies’ in HHS’s handling of PHEs
May 15, 2023
Over a decades’ time, these issues have affected the nation’s response not only to COVID-19, but to past public health emergencies including the H1N1 influenza pandemic and extreme weather events...
Opt-in COVID vaccine program kicks off; Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2020
Long-term care facilities nationwide can voluntarily opt in to a free pharmacy partnership program that will provide and administer future COVID-19 vaccines on site, federal officials announced Friday.
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, May 26
By
Alicia Lasek
May 25, 2020
HHS announces $4.9 billion fund for skilled nursing pandemic efforts; senior living gets $0 … Data on COVID-19 in nursing homes is key to stopping spread; race a factor in facility outbreaks: expert...
CMS must refine data on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, OIG says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
The Minimum Data Set should not be CMS’ sole source for determining the number of nursing home residents using antipsychotic drugs, according to a new report from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.
Clinical briefs for Friday, April 1
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 01, 2022
HHS to award $110M in effort to expand HCBS … A nurse’s death raises the alarm about the profession’s mental health crisis … Internists push for Biden’s proposed budget to cover adult...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Oct. 29
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 29, 2020
HHS awards nursing homes $333M in COVID infection-control performance rewards … Severe COVID may age the brain by a decade, researchers say … All adults with endocrine disorders should receive cholesterol,...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, July 27
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 27, 2021
Feds publish long-COVID disability coverage guidelines … Genesis’ targeted COVID-19 vaccine efforts increased uptake among Black, Hispanic employees … Israel may recommend Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster...
HHS to LTC operators: Step up your booster clinic timelines before year ends
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2021
Long-term care operators should speed up plans to help residents boost their immunity before an expected COVID-19 surge hits, a federal official told virtual town hall attendees Tuesday.