Coronavirus uptick in nursing homes linked to rising community rates: AHCA
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2020
After a June drop in infections, an “alarming” July spike among nursing home residents put rates nearly back where they were in May. The numbers are not surprising, industry observers say.
Potent painkiller prescription often arrives with transferred residents
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2020
A high-dose painkiller prescription often accompanies hospital patients upon discharge to a skilled nursing facility. The result is a complex medication management challenge for care providers, investigators...
Thunderstorms linked to spike in respiratory emergencies for Medicare beneficiaries
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2020
Emergency respiratory care visits increase among older Medicare patients in the days surrounding a thunderstorm, according to a new study from Harvard Medical School.
Clinical Briefs for Wednesday, August 12
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2020
Antibody drugs may have missed window to slow pandemic … FDA agrees to conduct quick review of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug … Atrial fibrillation deaths lowest in 45 years, but remain cause for concern...
COVID-19 antiviral pill to be tested in long-term care facilities
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 11, 2020
The FDA has cleared the way for a phase 2 trial of the antiviral tablet favipiravir to control COVID-19 outbreaks among staff and residents.
Body weight linked to brain blood flow and dementia risk, researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 11, 2020
Increasing body weight is associated with decreased activity and blood flow in the brain, according to a new imaging study.
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, August 11
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 11, 2020
Gilead seeks full U.S. approval for remdesivir … Mouthwashes may provide brief COVID-19 transmission protection, researchers claim … Calcium and vitamin D may help prevent future vertigo episodes,...
Blood pressure dip upon standing may herald dementia
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 10, 2020
Older adults with systolic orthostatic hypertension — a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing — may be more prone to dementia, according to a new study.
Study confirms need to isolate asymptomatic COVID-19 staff, residents
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 10, 2020
Symptomatic and asymptomatic adults carry a similar amount of the virus, a study of infected patients has found. What’s more, 81% of the asymptomatic participants had no outward signs of disease for...
An electric cooker can sanitize N95 masks, preserve filtration and fit, investigators find
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 10, 2020
A rice cooker or an Instant Pot effectively decontaminates N95 respirators without compromising fit and function, researchers say. They demonstrate the method in a YouTube video.