Hospital surges tied to lower COVID-19 survival rates; cases rising mostly in the unvaccinated
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 09, 2021
Surges accounted for about 1 in every 4 U.S. COVID-19 hospital deaths through Oct. 2020, analysts say. This trend continued even as more effective treatments became available.
Clinical briefs for Friday, July 9
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 09, 2021
LTC providers missing residents’ hearing problems due to masks, other PPE … U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented nearly 280,000 excess deaths … Tooth loss tied to cognitive decline, but timely...
Elder frailty a key predictor of survival following ICU admission, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
Severity of baseline frailty is a strong predictor of one-year survival in older adults facing critical illness. It also is key to informing treatment plans and goals of care for these individuals, researchers...
Survey of physicians supports recognition of PALTC medicine as a specialty practice
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
The results highlight the “unique and specific nature of medical care provided by attending physicians across a range of PALTC settings,” concluded a task force of industry experts.
Lonely seniors may have shorter life, fewer healthy years than their peers: analysis
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
At age 60, people who report being lonely can expect to live an average of three to five years less than their peers who say they are never lonely. Years of active daily life are shortened as well, investigators...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, July 8
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 08, 2021
New CMS Medicare chief was health system exec, former HHS health reform director … More falls may occur in SNFs after admitting residents with existing cognitive decline: study … New health benefits...
Calculator predicts elders’ need for palliative care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
A new online tool can help frail older adults and their clinicians estimate six-month life expectancy and better plan for end-of-life care, according to real-world studies from Canada.
Caregivers can help elders retain their dignity during intimate hygiene care, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
Clinicians can offer “moments of micro-competence,” giving palliative care patients a voice in how they receive care as their abilities decline, investigators say.
July 4 sees COVID-19 spike, ventilator shortage for Missouri hospitals
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
An area of Missouri with low COVID-19 immunization rates has seen a 27% spike in hospitalizations and a public call for respiratory therapists, a report finds.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, July 7
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
One year of aerobic exercise may stave off decline in mild cognitive impairment … Benefits of mRNA vaccine outweigh adverse heart event risks, CDC researchers conclude … Alzheimer’s Association pushes...