The Indianapolis Star reported that prior to the pandemic, Wedgewood Healthcare Center had the lowest possible staffing rating from federal regulators — “much below average” — and was in the bottom 15% for total staffing nationally. It remains poorly rated. This may explain the actions of one nurse. An Indiana nurse Connie Sneed pleaded guilty
German Lopez wrote an incredible article about the investigations into the origin of the COVID-19 virus. Was it from a bat or a lab? An accident or espionage? Was it a combination? Will we ever know? Here is a summary of his article and evidence. The Republican House Committees are investigating the origins of Covid.
Major study links nursing home staff vaccinations to lower resident deaths. University of Chicago researchers calculated the data. The evidence proves that a 10-point vaccination increase would have prevented: 102.9 cases per 1,000 residents; 15.6 deaths per 1,000 residents; and 21,000 staff infections nationwide. JAMA Network Open published the landmark study. The first-of-its kind national
The federal government will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration until April. The declaration allows numerous waivers, enhanced funding and telehealth allowances. Waivers allow nursing homes to hire and retain temporary nurse aides without full certification. This helps with short-staffing. The health care industry approves of the declaration. American Health Care Association / National Center
Nursing home advocates fear the Holidays will bring more COVID deaths. Unvaccinated staff are more likely to spread the virus to residents more susceptible to dying. The News & Observer reported tragic news for vulnerable adults in North Carolina. Older adults are vulnerable to COVID-related complications and death. AARP data shows less than half of nursing
AARP has been tracking vaccination rates in nursing homes each month since June 2021. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with residents and staff accounting for roughly a fifth of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths. Of those, more than 175,000 have been people who lived or worked in nursing homes.