Long-term care toolkit highlights the ‘4 moments of antibiotic decision making’
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 01, 2021
Experts from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality provide specific guidance for prescribing clinicians, including how to create a culture of safety around antibiotic prescribing, and learning...
U.S. reps launch ‘much-needed’ LTC infection control and prevention caucus
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
A new bipartisan congressional caucus will identify opportunities for sorely needed infection control and prevention reform legislation in long-term care, say the two Florida representatives who spearheaded...
Only 4 states have hit 75 percent LTC staff vaccination goal, new CMS data reveal
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
States that have achieved the industry’s June 30 goal are Hawaii, Vermont, Alaska and California, with staff member vaccination rates ranging from 83% to 75%. By contrast, the lowest-ranked state...
Fall detection system cuts ‘time on the ground’ by 30 minutes, LTC study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
Investigators examined the effect of the SafelyYou Guardian real-time video monitoring system in six California memory care communities over 10 months. The proportion of fallers who spent more than one...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, June 30
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
Argentum throws support behind Nurses Care Act, qualifying TNAs beyond pandemic … Moderna’s COVID shot effective against Delta variant in lab study … ‘Biased and misleading’: No holds barred...
New C. difficile treatment guidelines advise fidaxomicin over vancomycin
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Fidaxomicin should be the antibiotic of choice when treating adults with Clostridioides difficile infection, according to new guidance from U.S. infectious disease experts. And monoclonal antibodies can...
Older women recount more pandemic stress struggles than older men
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Although feelings of optimism prevailed overall, older female survey respondents were more likely than their male peers to say that they were struggling in 2021 — from finances to mental health.
Ecumen to market infection control tracking tool developed by employee
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Abxtracker software is designed specifically for use in the long-term care industry, and is aligned with CMS regulations. The technology can track COVID-19 and other viral, fungal or bacterial infections,...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, June 29
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Telehealth used in only 13% of Medicare clinician visits during pandemic … House leaders to investigate FDA approval and price of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug … Early study of mRNA flu vaccine prompted...
Long-term care residents, staff may top list for COVID boosters: CDC advisers
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 28, 2021
Most residents were vaccinated early, and time from vaccination plays into waning effectiveness, CDC advisers say. What’s more, this population already requires special considerations for other vaccines....