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...
Juniper CEO: Restoring ‘new normal’ in senior living is about COVID lessons learned
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Aug 03, 2020
Juniper Communities created an early COVID-19 battle plan using cohorting and universal testing. Today the majority of its communities are testing 100% negative for the virus, says founder and CEO Lynne...
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...
Operator turns to UV light to halt transmission of COVID-19
By
Danielle Brown
Jul 31, 2020
While others may be trying a flurry of disparate approaches, one Michigan-based operator is banking on ultraviolet (UV) light as a mitigation tactic against COVID-19 at its long-term care facilities.
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.
Feds to reimburse providers for counseling patients to self-isolate
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
Existing E/M codes can be used to bill for counseling patients about virus mitigation at the time of COVID-19 testing, according to CMS and the CDC.
Opioids still overprescribed in the ‘real world’ of joint replacement: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
There’s an upward trend in opioid prescriptions after joint replacement surgery, despite limited effectiveness and against federal, state and payer advice, researchers say.
Clinical Briefs for Friday, July 31
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
Testosterone therapy can lead to diabetes remission in men with related syndrome … Scientists reverse Alzheimer’s memory loss in mouse study … Gum health may play a role in dementia risk … Laughter...