Red-vested ‘Infection Control Patrol’ offers staff support and supervision
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 26, 2020
A well-known operator has created an interdisciplinary group of red-vested volunteers to round on care areas, providing mentoring and feedback. COVID-19 infections have dropped since, it says.
CMS issues ‘long overdue’ visitation guidelines for nursing homes
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 25, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services excited the provider community and brought clarity to numerous aspects of restarting visits at nursing homes Wednesday.
Clinical Briefs for Thursday, June 25
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 25, 2020
Women overmedicated due to dose calculation bias, study finds … New anti-osteoporotic drug romosozumab tied to cardiovascular risks … CDC: 15% of older U.S. adults take prescription pain meds … New...
Diabetes overtreated in older adults at end of life, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 25, 2020
Diabetes appears to be overtreated in nearly 44% of recently admitted VA nursing home residents, including those with limited life expectancy and/or advanced dementia.
Collaborative model helps reduce antipsychotic drug use
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 25, 2020
Training and support leads to discontinuation of antipsychotic meds in residents who do not have a diagnosis of psychosis or mental health issues, researchers have found. Notably, behavioral symptoms did...
‘Urgent’ need for value-based Medicare system after COVID-19 data reveals huge racial disparities
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 24, 2020
A transition to a value-based Medicare system is now “urgent” for the Trump administration after new COVID-19 data revealed significant racial disparities among Black and Hispanic patients.
Q&A: ‘Mobile-first’ platform key to COVID-19-era hospice care delivery, says VITAS CMO
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 24, 2020
Joseph Shega, M.D., says a pivot to telehealth and mobile apps has provided care continuity for residents, while helping staff to keep a healthy distance and adhere to infection prevention protocol.
Coronavirus vaccines must take elders’ weaker immune systems into account: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 23, 2020
Residents’ weaker immune systems could dilute the effectiveness of future coronavirus vaccines. Solutions are in the works, finds a new report.
Blood coagulation issues and other COVID-19 manifestations can cause sometimes unavoidable skin injuries that appear to be pressure wounds. Clinicians should be aware of this when diagnosing and reporting...
Clinical Briefs for Wednesday, June 24
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 23, 2020
‘Many lives could have been saved’: Geriatricians needed in pandemic discussions, expert says … Furry social robot could improve mood, reduce pain during lockdown, say researchers … Initial COVID-19...