New spike in COVID-19 deaths likely tied to delta variant, CDC director says … Feds tap Johns Hopkins health security chief to lead national testing initiative as omicron rages … Pneumonia shot safe...
Medicare may cover cost of Aduhelm for clinical trial participants only; critics say move is ‘unethical’
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2022
The coverage proposal is unusual but appropriate for the Medicare population, CMS officials said. But detractors have immediately piled on, with the Alzheimer’s Association calling it discriminatory...
Long-term care providers who’ve been flummoxed about recent infection control guidance coming from federal health agencies are not alone.
PDPM lowered therapy minutes but not outcomes, study shows
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 12, 2022
Skilled nursing patients received about 13% fewer therapy minutes after the onset of the Patient-Driven Payment Model in October 2019 but that did not hurt outcomes or rehospitalization rates, researchers...
Healthcare workers who receive booster shots found to have lower coronavirus infection rates
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2022
A new study from Israel in healthcare workers has found lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among those who received a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 12
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2022
In absence of Supreme Court ruling, work toward compliance with OSHA rule, experts advise … $80.5 million grant meant to help providers address lingering pandemic effects … Immunocompromised are eligible...
Becerra orders CMS to rethink $22 Medicare Part B premium price hike tied to Aduhelm
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
With the 50% price drop of Aduhelm on January 1, there is good reason for CMS to reassess a hefty proposed premium hike for 2022, the U.S. health secretary said. On Wednesday, CMS is expected to announce...
Shot targeting omicron may be ready by March, Pfizer predicts
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
The company says it is working with partner BioNTech to develop a shot that will combine its original vaccine with a drug that helps build immunity to the highly transmissible omicron variant.
Study: ‘Cognitive frailty’ may be result of aging — not the brain changes found in dementia
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
Reduced cognitive function without substantial memory complaints may be a normal part of aging and not an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, investigators say.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Jan. 11
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
Senior living must be prioritized in COVID-19 response, association urges Biden administration… U.S. breaks COVID-19 hospitalization record as omicron surges … ECRI ranks ease of taking 7 popular COVID-19...