CDC: Booster shot reduces hospitalization risk from COVID-19 reinfection
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 13, 2022
With the omicron variant dominant, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy rose from 35% after the initial series of doses to 68% after a booster dose, researchers report.
Seated tai chi improves functional, mental health recovery in ischemic stroke
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 13, 2022
Patients in a modified, 12-week tai chi program saw gains in hand and arm function, balance while sitting and mental health when compared to those in a standard stroke rehab exercise program.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, April 13
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 13, 2022
Clinical trial partnerships could help assisted living change “long-term care” narrative … Number of nurse practitioners increases 9% since May … Experimental drug halves death rate in critically...
Study: LTC residents with COVID-19 at risk for polypharmacy, new drug interactions
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 12, 2022
Across 41 Texas long-term care facilities, nearly 20% of residents with COVID-19 had drug-drug interactions related to treatment, and one-third continued new meds 30 days after diagnosis.
Pandemic bump in antipsychotics use raises questions about long-term care outcomes
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 12, 2022
The findings raise questions about the short- and long-term effects on the quality of care and health outcomes for residents, the authors say.
Lawmakers push FDA to take swift action on OTC hearing aids
By
Diane Eastabrook
Apr 12, 2022
A bipartisan team has introduced a bill that orders the FDA to stop dragging its feet and issue a final rule making over-the-counter hearing aids available to consumers.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, April 12
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 12, 2022
NIH: Certain arthritis drugs lower incidence of Alzheimer’s in heart patients … Undercounting may hide new COVID-19 surge; whether that’s a problem depends on whom you ask … Collaboration between...
LTC docs push for more training, competency requirements for medical directors
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 11, 2022
It’s time for Congress and CMS to take action and raise the profile and competencies of industry clinicians — especially medical directors, according to long-term care physician advocate AMDA.
MDS self-care item key to planning appropriate SNF rehabilitation goals, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 11, 2022
A self-care item recently introduced to the Minimum Data Set allows therapeutic teams to better assess a resident’s prior health status and help predict what is needed for recovery, investigators say.
COVID-19 linked to increased risk of shingles, pharma company finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 11, 2022
Older adults with a COVID-19 diagnosis are 15% more likely to develop shingles than their peers who have never been diagnosed with the disease, a study supported by vaccine-maker GlaxoSmithKline has found.