Nursing home staffing, aide hours linked to COVID-19 outcomes
Lower staffing could be a key indicator for how well nursing homes fare during the coronavirus pandemic, new research suggests.
Main News
Common flaw: Governments around the world failed to protect nursing home residents and staff
Nursing homes around the world were excluded from emergency preparation plans as government’s rushed to ensure that hospitals could handle an onslaught of coronavirus patients during the beginning of the pandemic, a report by the New York Times detailed.
Lawmaker calls for ‘science’ as guide to VA COVID-19 care after controversial experimental drug use
A U.S. congresswoman is seeking answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ following a state-run center’s decision to prescribe a controversial drug to nursing home residents battling COVID-19.
Also in the News for Tuesday, Aug. 11
Nursing homes ordered to begin mandatory coronavirus testing for workers … Texas leads country in nursing home staffing shortages … Trump says he would target Medicare, Social Security if re-elected … New Jersey governor takes heat for coronavirus nursing home deaths … NY’s Cuomo says ‘no need’ for independent investigation into controversial nursing home policy
Point-of-care testing could be ‘biggest advance’ in COVID-19 fight
The federal government’s point-of-care testing program for nursing homes — outside of a future potential vaccine — could be the “biggest advance” of all in the fight against the coronavirus crisis, according to CareTrust REIT executives.
1,600 nursing home workers plan strike
Detroit-area nursing home operators could be facing a significant staffing shortage soon after 1,600 workers announced plans to strike later this month.
‘Secret’ report alleges massive ASC fraud had 20 more co-conspirators, $20 million more in losses
One of the largest nursing home-related fraud stories of the last decade, involved the top executive of Indiana’s largest publicly owned SNF company, American Senior Communities, and four others being criminally prosecuted along with a deal to repay $15.5 million.
McKnight’s 40 for 40: Wendy Simpson
When Wendy Simpson joined the board of real estate investment trust LTC Properties in 1995, she now admits, she was a tad green about long-term care financing. It sure didn’t take long for Simpson to catch up.
Also in the News for Monday, Aug. 10
Nursing homes lose 28,000 jobs in July … SNFs in Texas with no active COVID-19 cases can resume visits … Washington state releases guidelines for nursing home visits … Indiana releases new data on coronavirus deaths in nursing homes, ALFs
Following record 2Q earnings, Ensign Group returns $110M in CARES Act funding
The Ensign Group has returned about $110 million in federal coronavirus relief funding after experiencing another quarter of “record-breaking results,” executives reported Thursday.
Omega remains hopeful despite 8% occupancy drop; Sabra upbeat about skilled mix, acquisition prospects
Omega Healthcare executives expect operator performance to be “significantly affected” for the foreseeable future after reporting an 8% decline in overall occupancy since February. Meanwhile, Sabra Health Care REIT CEO Rick Matros cited numerous optimistic indicators at his company’s second quarter earnings call, despite also showing an 8% decline in occupancy since the pandemic was declared.
CMS: New RAI manual still on hold
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will not release an updated version of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual in the near future, the agency confirmed Thursday.
Online Forum tackles issues of skin integrity, infection control and staffing amid COVID-19 on Tuesday
McKnight’s is continuing its campaign to provide education about operating successfully under COVID-19 conditions. Its sixth Online Forum on the subject will take place Tuesday (Aug. 11).
Also in the News for Friday, Aug. 7
Lawmaker calls on CMS to make COVID-19 nursing home data more reliable … Privately owned nursing homes have higher COVID-19 death, infection rates, study finds … Maryland faces heat for lags in nursing home inspections … California National Guard helps fill staffing shortages at LTC facilities … Stimulus grants helping Diversicare, NHC withstand pandemic
CVS Health ‘well positioned’ to serve LTC with future COVID-19 vaccine
Long-term care facilities that receive pharmacy services from CVS Health should have sufficient access to a COVID-19 vaccine, once one is ready, executives stated Wednesday morning.
Nursing homes appeal expulsion from Medicaid over alleged COVID-19 failures
At least two Massachusetts providers are fighting back after receiving termination notices from the state’s Medicaid program over COVID-19 responses deemed unacceptable.
Lawmakers accuse state official of downplaying nursing home deaths
New York state health officials are being accused of releasing incomplete data on nursing home COVID-19 deaths to support controversial state policies implemented during the public health crisis.
Also in the News for Thursday, Aug. 6
Aging services groups call for federal plan to end ‘national nightmare’ of COVID-19… Hot spot Florida’s governor ready to resume visits for long-term care facilities … Texas releases additional coronavirus nursing home data … Medicare Part D favors generic drugs over brand-name, study finds … Missouri voters approve Medicaid expansion
Proposed 9% cut to therapy ‘potentially devastating’
A proposal to cut 9% from Medicare payments for physical and occupational therapy under the federal government’s Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule for 2021 could potentially have a “devastating impact” on providers if it goes into effect as presented, advocates warned Tuesday.
Nursing homes accused of mismanaging pandemic relief funds
For-profit nursing home operators that have previously settled Medicare fraud allegations are now under suspicion of misusing federal pandemic relief funding.
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