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.
OIG: Older Medicare recipients often harmed during hospital stays
May 13, 2022
Fully 25% of older American Medicare beneficiaries are at high risk of being harmed during acute care stays, according to the HHS Office of the Inspector General.
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...
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 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.
Build vaccine trust, vaccination rates among CNAs: HHS releases guide
By
Alicia Lasek
May 25, 2021
A comprehensive new guide and toolkit are aimed at helping nursing home administrators tackle issues of vaccine hesitancy among certified nursing assistants, as well as barriers to vaccination.
HHS to extend PREP Act protections for pharmacy workers after end of PHE
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 16, 2023
Pharmacy providers will continue to have liability immunity when administering COVID-19 and vaccinations, treatments and tests after the end of the Public Health Emergency, the Department of Health and...