McKnight’s reported on a new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study found that more than 90% of “high-touch” surfaces in nursing homes have fecal matter and other organic substances. “High-touch” surfaces means handrails, doorknobs, and safety equipment. Gross. The researchers found that surfaces touched by patients and visitors were twice as

Unsurprisingly, a study from UPenn researchers reveals that the use of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) significantly declined during the pandemic. The facilities were death sentences for too many vulnerable adults. SNF spending for care also declined. Featured in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, the study showed SNF use declined from an average of

Prepare to Prevent COVID-19 killed more nursing home residents last year than combat casualties during the combined wars in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. The $166 billion nursing home industry includes 15,600 skilled care facilities nationwide. The industry must do a better job with infection prevention and control. COVID-19 is not the last contagious virus

Outbreaks The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported “superbug” outbreaks with patients that had invasive fungal infections that were impervious to all three major classes of medications. The fungus, Candida auris, is a harmful form of yeast that is dangerous to nursing home residents. Candida auris is difficult to detect and to control. The