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COVID-19/Coronavirus

More testing helps slow COVID outbreak spread, but vaccine remains king
More testing helps slow COVID outbreak spread, but vaccine remains king
By
Danielle Brown
May 20, 2022

Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as mask wearing and increased testing, better helped skilled nursing providers minimize how many people got sick from COVID-19 even amid high community transmission,…

As COVID carnage may cool, expect the heat on nursing homes to rise
As COVID carnage may cool, expect the heat on nursing homes to rise
By
James M. Berklan
May 19, 2022

You can have big trouble at the doorstep and not be able to do anything about it if you’re not paying close enough attention.

Loss of smell, taste less likely with newer COVID-19 variants
Loss of smell, taste less likely with newer COVID-19 variants
May 18, 2022

Lower risk for developing chemosensory loss observed with alpha, delta, and omicron variants

Payment

SNFs should prepare ‘for the worst’ regarding PDPM cuts, expert says
SNFs should prepare ‘for the worst’ regarding PDPM cuts, expert says
By
Danielle Brown
May 09, 2022

Skilled nursing providers should be prepared for the federal government to move forward with planned reductions in reimbursements rates, even as they await a final decision on the recommendation, according…

Chance for slower PDPM cuts remote, expert says
Chance for slower PDPM cuts remote, expert says
By
Danielle Brown
May 03, 2022

All hope is not lost for skilled nursing providers hoping for relief from a planned reduction in reimbursement rates, a top payment expert recently told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. 

‘Remote possibility’ CMS phases in proposed pay cuts for SNFs
‘Remote possibility’ CMS phases in proposed pay cuts for SNFs
Apr 26, 2022

Now is the time for skilled nursing providers to let their voices be heard after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released its SNF proposed pay rule for fiscal 2023, which calls for $320 million…

Policy

LTC staff to receive free behavioral health training in new federal program
LTC staff to receive free behavioral health training in new federal program
By
Alicia Lasek
May 17, 2022

The new $15 million program will focus on workforce skills in an effort to strengthen behavioral healthcare delivery in long-term care facilities, HHS announced Monday.

Judge blocks regulation limiting room bed counts
Judge blocks regulation limiting room bed counts
By
Danielle Brown
May 16, 2022

Massachusetts will not be allowed to implement a regulation that requires long-term care facilities to discharge current residents in rooms with three or four beds, a Superior Court judge ruled. 

Providers, patients fear loss of ‘critical’ waivers if vigilance lapses and PHE not extended
Providers, patients fear loss of ‘critical’ waivers if vigilance lapses and PHE not extended
By
Danielle Brown
May 12, 2022

A group of 15 healthcare organizations on Tuesday warned a top health official that providers and patients could lose “vital” flexibilities if the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) isn’t extended…

Clinical Updates

Study pinpoints prescribing practices that may raise disability risk for LTC residents
Study pinpoints prescribing practices that may raise disability risk for LTC residents
By
Alicia Lasek
May 19, 2022

Polypharmacy and the use of drugs with sedative or anticholinergic properties were tied to increased odds of functional disability and the need for LTC services.

Clinical briefs for Tuesday, May 17
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, May 17
By
Alicia Lasek
May 17, 2022

Supporting sleep continuity may improve daytime dementia symptoms … Research urgently needed on long COVID among LTC residents, clinicians say … FDA greenlights first OTC COVID test that also detects…

Workforce Issues

Feds deny provider request to speed up process for prevailing wage for foreign RNs
Feds deny provider request to speed up process for prevailing wage for foreign RNs
By
Danielle Brown
May 10, 2022

The Department of Labor told long-care providers that it cannot expedite the prevailing wage determination process for foreign-born registered nurses after they called on the agency to streamline the system…

Unionized nursing homes have better COVID-19 outcomes among residents, staff: study
Unionized nursing homes have better COVID-19 outcomes among residents, staff: study
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 22, 2022

The presence of a labor union in nursing homes was linked to lower COVID-19 mortality rates among residents and fewer infections among workers, according to a new Health Affairs study.

How can we prepare for the future of healthcare technology?
How can we prepare for the future of healthcare technology?
By
Pat Mulloy
Mar 31, 2022

Over the last few years in senior living, we have seen many anticipated technological changes come to sudden fruition. Businesses that promised more digital care options for years found they could no longer…