Trump orders permanent telehealth service expansion
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 05, 2020
Telehealth use has exploded during the pandemic following temporary Medicare coverage expansions. The White House and CMS would like to keep the changes.
Vitamin D does not alter depression risk in older adults, five-year study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 05, 2020
Among more than 18,000 participants without pre-existing depression, those who received active vitamin D3 supplements for five years were no more or less likely to become depressed than a placebo cohort.
Clinical Briefs for Wednesday, August 5
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 05, 2020
At-a-glance PPE shortages by state and COVID-19 positivity graphic released: AHCA … Uncontrolled hypertension found in a third of stroke survivors … Older LGBTQ adults have high rates of multimorbidity,...
Despite PPE, healthcare workers face greater risk of positive COVID-19 test
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Frontline providers with access to “adequate” personal protective equipment are three times more likely to test positive for the coronavirus than the general public. The rate rises to fivefold among...
Staff, residents get on-site infusions in unusual COVID-19 drug trial
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Eli Lilly and Symphony Care Network have partnered to test a COVID-19 antibody drug in long-term care communities. The drugmaker is deploying recreational vehicles retrofitted as mobile research units...
Residents’ physical decline tied to extended anticholinergic, sedative use
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Long-term exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications is linked to reduced physical function — though not cognitive function — in nursing home residents.
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, August 4
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Emergency treatment with RLF-100 may help critically ill COVID-19 patients … Baby boomers scoring lower on cognitive tests than previous generation … COVID-19 vaccine is on the way; U.S. cases more...
Pharmacists push to bill Medicare directly, expand testing, vaccination role
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 03, 2020
Pharmacists are advocating to insert a policy in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill that would give them Medicare Part B provider status for conducting COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Clinical Briefs for Monday, August 3
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 03, 2020
Reducing corticosteroids prevents long-term side effects in rheumatoid arthritis, study finds … Antipsychotic clozapine may increase pneumonia risk in COVID-19 patients … Providers must check that...
It’s ‘never too late’ to prevent or delay dementia, international commission claims
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
Up to 40% of dementia cases could be thwarted by modifying 12 key risk factors, according to a report by the Lancet Commission. Many of these factors can be tackled late in life, the authors say.