Urgent Call to Action by CMS for COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff and Management
On November 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) officially recognized 1,092 nursing homes where at least 50% or more of their staff have completed the CMS…
Read More »Connecticut State Work Group Concerned About Maintaining Visits During Continuing COVID-19 Pandemic
A working group (subcommittee) on visitation appointed by the Connecticut governor recently met virtually to discuss the importance and need to maintain visitations while the COVID-19 crisis continues. The goal…
Read More »New York Community Responds to Help Rescue Residents from Nursing Home Fire
On the afternoon of Sunday November 15, 2020, firefighters were called to a New York nursing home where a working fire had heavy flames already visible. The flames were shooting…
Read More »Drugs Prescribed for Residents in Iowa Senior-Living Facility Diverted by Medication Aide
A certified medication aide (CMA) in a senior-living facility is facing three felony charges after an investigation revealed she diverted controlled medications for her personal use that were prescribed for…
Read More »Mississippi’s Nursing Homes Struggling with Increasing COVID-19 Cases
The state of Mississippi leads the nation in the number of COVID-19 cases per capita for nursing home residents. Outbreaks this past week increased by almost 25%, and 140 of…
Read More »OSHA Alerts Employers to Frequently Cited Standards Related to COVID-19 Inspections
The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance and a “lessons learned” sheet to help employers understand which standards are most frequently cited during…
Read More »Wife of New York Nursing Home Resident Files Suit to Provide Needed Care for Disabled Husband
According to a recently filed lawsuit, the restrictions on visiting due to COVID-19 prevent the wife of a New York nursing home resident with a rare neurological degenerative disorder from…
Read More »Differing COVID-19 Safety Testing Practices between LTCs and Ambulance Workers May Pose Risk
Ambulance companies frequently contract with long-term care facilities to provide non-emergency medical transportation for the residents. This transportation involves taking residents to doctors’ offices, dialysis, and other medical appointments. Currently,…
Read More »Nursing Homes Hit Hard by COVID-19 Now Face Diminished Staff and Vacant Rooms
Along with the havoc that COVID-19 inflicted, many nursing homes in New York City are facing closure due to diminished staff and empty beds. In one facility where more than…
Read More »Missouri Nursing Home to Pay $150,000 in Fines and Penalties for Abuse, Neglect, and Filing False Medicaid Claims
Missouri’s Attorney General recently announced that a skilled nursing facility would pay $150,000 in fines and civil money penalties related to their filing of false claims to Medicaid. From May…
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