CMS, OIG agree on increasing scrutiny of psychotropic drug use
By
Joe Bush
Nov 18, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be increasing its oversight of the use of psychotropic drugs to pay closer attention to certain classes, warned the lead author of a federal report identifying...
Seniors’ loneliness increased in face of social distancing, U.K. study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 18, 2022
A host of factors made certain seniors more susceptible to loneliness when pandemic social restrictions were introduced, but tech-facilitated contact helped, investigators say.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction safe, effective for anxiety disorders
Nov 10, 2022
In a randomized study, mindfulness-based stress reduction was found to be noninferior to Lexapro (escitalopram).
Clinical briefs for Friday, Nov. 18
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 18, 2022
22 states petition CMS to repeal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers … Senators introduce bill to lower prescription costs for seniors with chronic illnesses … Watch for new onset diabetes...
Study: Poorer physical health a sign of worsening depression in new nursing home residents
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2022
Across 47 nursing homes, five factors were tied to severe depressive symptoms. The results support careful screening at admission and personalized depression care, physician-researchers say.
Noise levels linked to health problems and burnout for nurses
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2022
Nurses who reported high general noise exposure were more likely to also report having health issues such as hypertension, heart disease and depression than their peers.
Heart failure patients 40 percent less likely to contract pneumonia after flu shot: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2022
Flu shots also lower cardiovascular complications, which land 20% of heart failure patients in the hospital each year, investigators say.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Nov. 17
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2022
New data suggest Moderna’s updated COVID booster is more effective against omicron variants … Slightly faster cognitive decline after knee replacement found in people aged 80 and older … Careful...
CDC: RSV hospitalizations soar among seniors while vaccine remains on horizon
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2022
The hospitalization rate for seniors with respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, is 10 times higher than usual for the season, federal data show.
New data: Healthcare-linked infections increased in 2021
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2022
Healthcare-associated infections have remained above pre-COVID levels in acute care settings, according to a federal progress report.