On October 30, 2020, CMS launched a new online platform to serve as a centralized hub bringing together the latest information, guidance and data on nursing homes that is important to facilities, frontline providers, residents, and their families, especially as the fight against COVID-19 continues. The Resource Center consolidates all nursing home information, guidance and resources into a user-friendly, one-stop-shop …
Body temperature is a vital sign that is regularly measured to assess the status of a patients’ health, facilitate diagnosis, and screen for the COVID-19 virus. Healthcare professionals must use the most accurate and precise measurement devices available to reproduce stable results reflecting core body temperature. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that public health measures include body temperature screening …
Roughly one in 10 people may have been infected with the coronavirus, leaving the vast majority of the world’s population vulnerable to the COVID-19 disease it causes the World Health Organization said on Monday, October 5th. Per Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergency expert, “our current best estimates tell us about 10% of the global population may have been infected …
COVID-19 disproportionately affects older adults, partly due to increased prevalence of frailty. Frail adults in residential settings may be at particular risk of transmission of respiratory illness. Understanding the differences in COVID-19 presentation resulting from frailty is imperative to prompt rapid diagnosis, isolation and contact-tracing and to guide assessment and treatment. Early identification of frailty facilitates a differential, targeted clinical …
Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems can reduce the airborne concentration of the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), which can reduce the risk of transmission through the air. Here are some suggestions from the CDC: Check to be sure your HVAC filter is correctly in place and consider upgrading the filter to the highest-rated filter …
A press release from CMS contains information about a set of toolkits meant to help healthcare systems administer a COVID-19 vaccine when available, new plans to remove regulatory barriers and ensure coverage, and established new rules about vaccine payments. Their toolkits also hold specific information for several programs like Medicare, Medicaid, private plans, and several others. Click below to read …
Researchers continue to investigate other transmission routes for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the eyes. Although it is much less common than the nose or mouth, eyes may be exposed to the transmission of the virus by touching the contaminated hand or by rubbing the eyes. According to a review of 172 studies analyzing data collected from 16 countries, if healthcare …
On Tuesday, October 27th, AHCA announced that the federal government was extending the deadline for LTC facilities to sign up for the national vaccine distribution program. Read the memo below: The deadline for long term care facilities to sign up to participate in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program has been extended to Friday, November 6. Please don’t wait …
ECRI is a non-profit, independent organization that utilizes an unbiased, evidence-based approach to develop guidance and maintain their principles of integrity and transparent work. Their ethical standards have led them to adopt the industry’s strictest conflict-of-interest policies and they are why tens of thousands of healthcare leaders worldwide rely on ECRI to guide their clinical, operational, and strategic decisions across …
On October 5th, 2020, CMS sent out a memo regarding compliance related to nursing home residents and their right to vote. CMS made clear that they are affirming the continued right of nursing home residents to exercise their right to vote, while acknowledging the challenges that have arisen with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although visitations are limited and there are new …
