Facilities urged to conserve dwindling medical supplies as pandemic persists
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 19, 2020
One in five eldercare facilities will run out of masks, gowns and other PPE if current supplies aren’t carefully conserved, says AHCA / NCAL.
Expect false positives: FDA letter to providers explains COVID antigen test results
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 05, 2020
The agency clarifies that rapid antigen tests, “like all diagnostic tests,” are subject to false positive results, especially in low prevalence settings. It offers recommendations for administering...
Feds stepping up efforts to make coronavirus tests available
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 09, 2020
Millions of COVID-19 diagnostic tests will become available this week, according to the White House and federal health agencies.
Operators taking unprecedented steps to keep coronavirus in check
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 12, 2020
“We’re taking bold steps to do whatever we can to keep coronavirus from getting into our buildings,” says AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson.
New visitation guidance targets social isolation
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 08, 2020
Nursing home and senior living advocates have released recommendations and a toolkit to support safe visitation and ease resident isolation during the pandemic.
Medical director shares wins, challenges of nursing home’s pandemic response
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 23, 2020
Once described as the epicenter of West Virginia’s COVID-19 outbreak, a 100-bed facility gained control of its infection and mortality rate. A new study details its most helpful strategies — and biggest...
White House pivots to air quality focus for COVID-19 infection control
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 28, 2022
The White House has embraced a model of COVID-19 transmission that could help shift infection prevention efforts toward indoor air quality and industrial hygiene. A related public webinar is set for Tuesday,...
Act now to avert a holiday season fiasco
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Oct 20, 2020
The holidays are typically a busy time for long-term care centers, filled with special activities and extra visitors. Because of the pandemic, this year will be much different.
Don’t shelve rapid tests as COVID cases climb, advocates implore nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2020
Industry advocates say it’s time for facility operators who have not made full use of rapid antigen tests to start doing so — before nursing home deaths begin to spike again. CMS must “take to...
The pandemic narrative, a tool for mental health
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Apr 27, 2021
Comparisons between April 2020 and April 2021 are surprisingly jolting in some ways. Not until I composed this blog did I fully realize how far we’ve come, regarding pandemic conditions, and life...