​In the course of the pandemic and now the Delta variant surge, providers are bearing down on some critical processes to shore up their protection against the virus.

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society has created a customized solution to streamline visitor screenings. The goal was to create automated information to share with CMS and surveyors, but a major benefit turned out to be saving valuable staff time in the process.

Meanwhile, Covenant Living Communities and Services has embraced an aggressive stance on properly cleaning and disinfecting all rooms and spaces residents commonly visit, using ATP luminometer testing to determine the thoroughness of the cleaning. The program, Our Safer Home Commitment, makes the point that the safety of Covenant’s residents and their families is the company’s No. 1 priority.

Nonprofit Developmental Options, which serves adults and children with intellectual disabilities, has found its greatest strength in the mutual support offered by staff and leadership to the residents, sister facilities, and each other. For example, staff help residents stay in contact with family members when face-to-face visits are on hold and help them understand why outings may be limited to less crowded locations.

A special feature this month delves into how the modern health care applicant approaches the job search. A 2021 survey from Hireology found that 57 percent of applicants used their smartphone to aid in their search, indicating that mobile devices are the medium of choice.

On the policy front, both AHCA President and CEO Mark Parkinson and NCAL’s brand-new Executive Director LaShuan Bethea weigh in on issues that include workforce challenges, vaccine hesitation, and more affordable assisted living.​​