Federal COVID vaccine mandate didn’t cause staffing shortages: research
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 10, 2023
The federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate did not significantly reduce staffing levels in nursing homes despite predicted “gloom and doom” scenarios by opponents of the vaccine and mandates at any level,...
Researchers identify weak links in nursing homes’ COVID defense
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 07, 2023
Vaccination rates for COVID-19 for nightshift workers in nursing homes significantly lag their dayshift counterparts, creating a higher-risk environment for residents and other staff, according to new...
Three years in, pandemic jabs keep coming
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 10, 2023
Ahead of Saturday’s third anniversary of the pandemic’s official declaration, one infection preventionist who spent much of COVID’s first year on frontlines in multiple states reflected on the challenges...
As providers scavenge, advocates urge White House to prioritize LTC vaccines
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Oct 24, 2023
One long-term care sector advocate on Monday likened securing COVID, RSV and flu vaccines to a survivalist book and movie series, even as the White House says it is making a push to boost coverage rates...
Bad federal and state responses paved way for nursing homes’ sad pandemic outcomes, Harvard researcher...
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Aug 22, 2023
The national response to the pandemic failed to protect residents — and their caregivers — emphasized a prominent healthcare policy researcher Monday.
COVID-designated nursing home to pay up after stiffing employees on pandemic OT
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Oct 20, 2023
A Rhode Island nursing home that was designated a COVID-19 specialty facility will pay more than $288,000 in back wages to employees who were shorted overtime pay during the pandemic.