Recognizing that the coronavirus pandemic “brings into sharp focus the risks to people’s health that follow from low pay for direct care professionals,” LeadingAge, the trade association of not-for-profit health and social services providers, has … [Read more...] about Paying Direct Care Workers a Living Wage
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COVID-Only Nursing Facilities: What Happened To A Good Idea?
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?
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
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
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
What’s New in Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Facilities?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the focused infection control survey protocol.[1] Now, for the first time, CMS requires surveyors to review the care actually provided to a sample of residents (and among a sample of … [Read more...] about What’s New in Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Facilities?
Center for Medicare Advocacy Toolkit: How to Obtain an Additional 100 Days of Medicare Coverage in a Skilled Nursing Facility During the COVID Public Health Emergency
As the Public Health Emergency (PHE) continues and the number of Medicare beneficiaries impacted by the PHE grows, the Center for Medicare Advocacy (the Center) has received an increasing number of requests for guidance on expanded Medicare coverage … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Toolkit: How to Obtain an Additional 100 Days of Medicare Coverage in a Skilled Nursing Facility During the COVID Public Health Emergency