Nursing home providers help to design, refine facility IP program
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 26, 2023
In partnership with providers, an infection control peer coaching program has been updated to improve its utility amid competing facility priorities and staffing shortages.
Knowledge of staff care patterns may help curb spread of drug-resistant bugs in LTC: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 05, 2023
Researchers observed care interactions across 25 nursing homes in seven states. Results suggest that these patterns are a key factor in identifying targets for infection prevention and control.
Inaccurate pressure injury reporting compromises CMS safety ratings: study
Aug 12, 2022
Nursing home pressure injuries are widely underreported, casting doubt on a key measure of resident safety used in federal facility ratings, University of Chicago researchers say.
Nursing home COVID-19 infections quadruple as booster rate slows
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 21, 2022
An AARP analysis shows a sharp uptick in infections between mid-April and mid-May, while residents’ booster shots have slowed to a trickle.
Repeat booster jabs for residents? COVID-19 immunity in nursing homes wanes quickly, large study shows
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 21, 2022
Results from hundreds of facilities demonstrate not only the value of booster vaccinations, but that there may be an ongoing need for additional shots in the long-term care population.
Stable use of antipsychotics in long-term care during pandemic ‘reassuring’: study
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Mar 07, 2022
The use of antipsychotics and pain medications in assisted living and nursing home residents was relatively unchanged early in the pandemic. New residents were more likely to get certain drugs, however.
State orders nursing homes to offer antibody therapy as COVID-19 preventive during outbreaks
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 20, 2021
Long-term care advocates are applauding a new order by the governor of Maryland that requires nursing facilities to offer all residents therapeutic treatments such as monoclonal antibodies when a COVID-19...
‘How good are those vaccines now?’ Mixed AARP nursing home report prompts a thorny question
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 15, 2021
A new AARP report shows encouraging trends in COVID-19 cases and vaccinations. But the steady rate of resident deaths raises concerns for the future as vaccine efficacy wanes, analysts say.
Stay on guard: Vaccinated residents remain susceptible to outbreaks, French nursing home studies reveal
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 13, 2021
Vaccinations and infection control measures may not entirely protect nursing homes from COVID-19 outbreaks — especially when staff members are unvaccinated, according to two new studies from France.
Eliminating residents’ chronic pain not a realistic goal: Aim for quality of life, experts tell...
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 24, 2021
Even the best, multimodal treatment strategies may be only 30% effective, say the authors of a new review and pain management guide.