Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, public health experts were concerned about the need to keep beds in acute care hospitals available for patients with acute care needs. At the same time, experts recognized that grouping patients by their … [Read more...] about COVID-Only Nursing Facilities: What Happened To A Good Idea?
COVID-19
Special Report: CMS Releases Fifth Cumulative List of Focused Infection Control Surveys
On September 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its fifth cumulative report on focused infection control surveys in nursing facilities. Like previous reports, the fifth report shows that comparatively few … [Read more...] about Special Report: CMS Releases Fifth Cumulative List of Focused Infection Control Surveys
AHRQ Launches National Nursing Home COVID Action Network Training Program
About 40% of all COVID-19 related deaths in the United States, according to The New York Times, are linked to nursing homes. To help combat these startling statistics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “a strong … [Read more...] about AHRQ Launches National Nursing Home COVID Action Network Training Program
Nursing Facilities and Covid-19 – It’s not Inevitable
The nursing home industry claims that outbreaks of COVID-19 in nursing facilities are largely the result of geography and that once coronavirus gets into a building, it inevitably spreads throughout the facility. Increasing evidence documents … [Read more...] about Nursing Facilities and Covid-19 – It’s not Inevitable
Study Finds Lower Mortality Rates in Unionized New York State Nursing Facilities
An analysis of nursing facilities in New York State finds that, compared to facilities without labor unions, facilities with unions had:A 30% lower morality rate from COVID-19A 42% “relative decrease in COVID-19 infection rates” among … [Read more...] about Study Finds Lower Mortality Rates in Unionized New York State Nursing Facilities
COVID 19 and Racial Disparities: Important New Analysis
Kaiser Family Foundation released analysis this week regarding racial disparities during the COVID-19 crisis, by examining testing, infection, hospitalization, and death by race and ethnicity among patients in the Epic health record system. The … [Read more...] about COVID 19 and Racial Disparities: Important New Analysis
CMS Long-Term Care Commission Issues Report
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes, whose formation was announced in late April,[1] has issued its final report.[2] The Report identifies 27 recommendations and … [Read more...] about CMS Long-Term Care Commission Issues Report
Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Racial Disparities and COVID-19
A recent Kaiser Family Foundation Issue Brief reviewing data and analysis of COVID-19 infections, highlights the disparate impact of infection for people of color. The Issue Brief, Racial Disparities in COVID-19: Key Findings from Available … [Read more...] about Kaiser Family Foundation Issues Report on Racial Disparities and COVID-19
Senators Release Report Concerning Postal Service Problems and Delays in Receipt of Mail-Order Drugs
On September 9, 2020, U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Elizabeth Warren released a report entitled “Rapidly Increasing Postal Service Delivery Delays for Mail-Order.” The report focuses on recent operational changes made at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) … [Read more...] about Senators Release Report Concerning Postal Service Problems and Delays in Receipt of Mail-Order Drugs
Testing Nursing Home Residents for COVID-19
All people with COVID-19 may be contagious while asymptomatic. Nursing home residents infected with COVID-19 may not have the symptoms that are typical of coronavirus in younger people (elevated temperature, coughs, respiratory symptoms); they … [Read more...] about Testing Nursing Home Residents for COVID-19