Guiding Principles and Planning Assumptions – Visitor Policies and Access

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Studies

In a recent publication in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, there was a discussion regarding finding the right balance on opening visitation in nursing homes and distinguishing between family caregivers and social visitors. The information is interesting and summarized below for your reading pleasure. The link for the complete article is also included if you would like …

Coronavirus

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections In Long-Term Care

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to spread rapidly among residents and staff in congregate settings poses a major infection control challenge. In a study conducted in 9 long-term care facilities in Pasadena, California in April 2020, the findings demonstrated a high proportion of asymptomatic infection, even within moderately affected facilities, and support the use of mass testing-based strategies in concert with …

COVID-19 Outbreaks in Nursing Homes

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

Contrary to early predictions, a recent study confirmed that CMS Star Rating is not an accurate predictor of whether a center will experience a COVID-19 outbreak. The recent study conducted at Harvard University identified that even though there was no evidence that star rating had a significant effect on facility outbreaks, a concerning finding was that facilities that employ staff …

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 – Frontline HCP

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

Healthcare personnel who care for patients with COVID-19 are at risk for exposure and infection during patient-care related activities and once infected, can spread SARS-CoV-2 to other patients, coworkers and others in the community. In a recent study published on the CDC.gov website, 3,248 health care personnel were observed, 6% had antibody evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, 29% with SARS-CoV-2 …

Preventing COVID-19 Outbreaks – Preemptive Testing

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at risk for severe COVID-19. Facility-wide testing, even in the absence of a reported COVID-19 case, can identify asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infection in LTCFs. Per the CDC, facilities where testing was conducted after a confirmed case of COVID-19 were found to have significantly higher proportions of infected residents and staff members at initial …

Delay or Avoidance of Medical Care – The Culprit – COVID-19

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

Temporary disruptions in routine and non-emergency medical care access and delivery have been observed during periods of considerable community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, per the CDC, medical care delay or avoidance might increase morbidity and mortality risk associated with treatable and preventable health conditions and might contribute to reported excess deaths directly …

Is it Safe To Fly?

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Studies

There has been a lot of controversy over whether it is safe to fly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Granted, there are people who, due to work situations, family emergencies, etc., might not have a choice on whether they fly or not while others have chosen to stay on the ground, avoiding the risk of infection that may be spread in …

Impact of COVID-19 On LTC

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

The Kaiser Foundation recently published an article on the impact of coronavirus on long-term care facilities over time. The data shows that long-term care facilities make up 8% of all coronavirus cases however more than 40% of all COVID-19 deaths. The analysis evaluated trends of long-term care cases and deaths between April and August 2020 to determine where and when …

Independent Nursing Home COVID-19 Commission Findings Validate Unprecedented Federal Response

Angie SzumlinskiStudies

Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) received the final report from the independent Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes (Commission), which was facilitated by MITRE. The Commission’s findings align with the actions the Trump Administration and CMS have taken to contain the spread of the virus and to safeguard nursing home residents from the …

Community Spread = Spike in Nursing Homes

Angie SzumlinskiHealth, Studies

As we continue our journey through the COVID-19 Pandemic, it appears that we have hit another hurdle in our efforts to avoid the spread of the virus in our centers. The American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released a report in Provider magazine on 8-11-2020 that states “skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) experiencing an ‘alarming spike’ in …