Angie's Blog

HealthCap® USA

Angie Szumlinski, NHA, RN-BC, RAC-CT and BS

Director of Risk Management

Angie SzumlinskiMs. Szumlinski is a nationally-recognized leader in long-term care with experience as an Owner/Provider, Administrator, Director of Nursing, Corporate Quality Assurance Coordinator and independent consultant. Ms. Szumlinski conducts risk management visits at facilities across the country, touching every acuity level within the post-acute care spectrum. Ms. Szumlinski served as an Associated Board Member for NCAL, is a member of the AHCA/NCAL Quality Committee, NCAL Risk Management Committee, HCAM Legal/Clinical Committee and is a Senior Examiner/Team Leader for the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program. Ms. Szumlinski is a Nurse Planner for the HealthCap® ANCC accredited education program.

All Cause 30-Day Mortality – COVID-19

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

Nursing homes provide care for a vulnerable population of frail older adults who are unable to live independently because of a combination of underlying chronic conditions, cognitive and physical impairments, and other age-related disabilities. Residents often face an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 illnesses owing to extrinsic factors such as a lack of adequate infection prevention and control …

Spotlight on HealthCap Heroes:

Angie Szumlinski Featured, News

Heritage of Bel-Air We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our newest HealthCap Hero, Karissa Zwingman from Heritage of Bel-Air. Karissa lifts up both her team and her residents with her positive attitude, displays of leadership, and compassion. Heritage of Bel-Air shared shared a wonderful testimony to us about the impact Karissa has on their facility: “Karissa is …

Mask Filtration Efficiency

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

In March 2020, the soaring number of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections resulted in an unprecedented shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for clinicians and essential health care workers. The shortage was most profound among N95 respirators, named for their ability to filter 95% or more of tiny 0.3 µm particles, and are considered the mainstay of …

Antibiotic Prescribing and Use – CDC Current Report

Angie Szumlinski Featured, Health

Antibiotic stewardship, or improving how antibiotics are prescribed and used, is critical for optimizing the treatment of patients who have infections, protecting patients from harm, and combating antibiotic resistance. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released “Antibiotic Use in the United States, 2018 Update: Progress and Opportunities”, which included information on how antibiotics were being used …

Ties or Loops

Angie Szumlinski Studies

A study on the effectiveness of facemasks that was published in JAMA on November 23, 2020, was a little disturbing. When comparing a surgical mask with head ties vs a procedure mask with ear loops, there was a large difference in fitted filtration efficiencies (FFEs) (71.5% vs 38.1% respectively). Even more concerning, there was also a similar trend of poor …

Asymptomatic Spread of COVID-19

Angie Szumlinski Studies

As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), began to spread globally, it became apparent that the virus, unlike the closely related SARS-CoV in the 2003 outbreak, could not be contained by symptom-based screening alone. Asymptomatic and clinically mild infections were uncommon during the 2003 SARS-CoV outbreak and there were no …

Lead By Example – Vaccinate!

Angie Szumlinski Health, Studies

A single state survey was conducted in the state of Indiana to determine the willingness of long-term care staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Staff characteristics including age, gender, race, ethnicity, role in the facility, experience in long-term care, and geographic location of the facility were self-reported along with prior infection and willingness to receive an approved vaccine as soon …

Vaccine Distribution – State by State

Angie Szumlinski Health

The states of Florida and Texas have started to distribute coronavirus vaccines to residents over age 65. These decisions go against guidelines set by an advisory group at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommended that healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staff members should be first in line, followed by other frontline workers and all …

COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions – CDC MMWR

Angie Szumlinski Announcements, Health, News

The CDC has issued updated interim clinical considerations for use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States and interim considerations for preparing for the potential management of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs rarely after vaccination. In addition to screening for contraindications and precautions before administering COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine locations should have the …

Opportunity to Purchase PPE at Bulk Pricing Rates

Angie Szumlinski Featured

To help members who are having trouble getting ahold of personal protective equipment, The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) is working with Project N95 to purchase and offer such items at bulk pricing rates. There are no minimum order quantities, but the offer is only for a one-time bulk purchase and may not be repeated. The following …