nursing homes

Administration starts initiative for more, faster testing in nursing homes

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced large-scale procurement of FDA-authorized rapid, point-of-care diagnostic test instruments and tests to be distributed to nursing homes in COVID-19 hotspot geographic areas in the United States. This initiative is a one-time procurement of devices and tests targeted to facilitate on-site testing among nursing home residents and … Continued

Brandon Moseley

July 20, 2020

Advocates warn of “imminent outbreaks” in nursing homes as cases spike

About three-quarters of all cases in U.S. nursing homes have occurred in counties where the 7-day average rate of new cases of COVID-19 was more than 3.59 per 100,000 people. The statewide 7-day average in Alabama was 34.41 new cases per day per 100,000 as of Tuesday.

Micah Danney

July 15, 2020

COVID-19 testing delays becoming a concern for nursing homes: survey

Fifty-six percent of nursing homes and assisted living communities report that lab processing was the top barrier for access to testing.

Brandon Moseley

July 7, 2020

Assisted living facilities ask for emergency funding, federal support

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living on Monday sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and the director of FEMA asking for emergency funding and federal support for assisted living centers to respond to COVID-19. The associations requested $5 billion in emergency funding … Continued

Chip Brownlee

June 9, 2020

Unified Command Center at heart of COVID-19 response

Alabama’s fight against the coronavirus is headed from the Unified Command center, a “war room” set up by the governor, where 175 state employees lead Alabama’s response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Unified Command Center is located in the RSA Tower in downtown Montgomery. Alabama’s Unified Command for COVID-19 Response is a team comprised … Continued

Brandon Moseley

June 1, 2020

Long-term care facilities linked to nearly 40 percent of Alabama COVID-19 deaths

Nearly 40 percent of Alabama’s COVID-19 deaths have been among long-term care facility residents. As of Monday, 107 long-term care facility residents have died from the virus, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. The 107 reported deaths among long-term care facility residents account for 36.1 percent of the state’s 296 COVID-19 deaths, as … Continued

Chip Brownlee

May 4, 2020

Jefferson County Health Department: Nursing homes can take in COVID-19 positive residents

A letter from the Jefferson County Department of Health informed nursing homes that they can take in residents who have been treated for COVID-19 and still test positive for the virus if they meet certain requirements. The letter, sent to Jefferson County nursing homes, reads that there is a “possibility that our hospitals will not … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

April 1, 2020

COVID-19 cases reported in Northport, Hoover nursing homes

Two nursing assistants at a nursing home in Hoover and a resident at a nursing home in Northport have tested positive for COVID-19, according to an announcement from the company that manages the facilities. NHS Management, LLC, the company that owns and operates the nursing homes, announced that two nursing assistants at South Haven Health … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

March 26, 2020

Nursing Home Association announces visitation restrictions

Alabama Nursing Home Association President & CEO Brandon Farmer announced Saturday new visitation restrictions designed to protect Alabama’s most vulnerable citizens from COVID-19. “With a national state of emergency declared by the President, the Alabama Nursing Home Association is urging all nursing homes in the state to follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 14, 2020

Opinion

Do what’ll really help: Expand Medicaid

We’ll certainly see whether state Sen. Greg Reed’s support of the new Medicaid Integrated Care Network is worthy and that the program does what is promised. Let’s hope it does, but pardon my cynicism, because any health care program these days that promises to do more for millions of dollars less falls under my “too-good-to-be-true” … Continued

Joey Kennedy

December 13, 2018