COVID shot boosters for all adults will help to reduce confusion, FDA says
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 22, 2021
The FDA “heard loud and clear” that a simpler booster strategy was needed, its vaccine chief says. But the action may be too late to head off a winter virus surge, observers say.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, May 11
By
Alicia Lasek
May 11, 2021
Dementia diagnoses and mental health service use drop among elders during pandemic … Alzheimer’s patients’ depression scores rose after pandemic lockdown … Fully 71% of U.S. seniors now vaccinated...
CMS: ‘Won’t be long’ until more vaccination guidance is issued
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 24, 2021
Nursing home and other providers can expect follow-up guidance on the federal government’s healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccination rule, including clarification on surveyor compliance, in “a week or...
Brain implants continue to reduce Parkinson’s motor symptoms 15 years later
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 11, 2021
The amount of time study participants experienced dyskinesia was reduced by 75%, and use of levodopa was reduced by 51% — long after deep brain stimulation devices were implanted.
CDC says COVID-19 vaccine boosters not yet necessary, while Pfizer seeks approval for third dose
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
Fully vaccinated Americans do not need a COVID-19 booster shot at this time, according to federal health officials. But Pfizer has asked to offer a third dose of its current vaccine and is developing an...
‘Monumental achievement’: Providers back Medicaid increases tied to staffing
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 08, 2022
Illinois nursing homes are in line for a $700 million funding increase if a Medicaid funding bill gets a key stamp of approval from lawmakers this week.
At least 26 barriers impede seniors’ advance care planning, researchers find
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 02, 2021
Fully 91% of participants responded that they had at least one barrier to initiating advance care planning. When compared with their peers who reported none, these study participants were more likely to...
Nurses report glaring gender pay gap, overwork in new survey
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 12, 2022
Despite an overall increase in salaries, registered nurses report glaring differences in pay and concerns about equity and overwork that could affect already troubled pandemic-era staffing levels.
‘The right thing to do’: Providers praise CMS decision to restart nursing home visits
By
Danielle Brown
Mar 11, 2021
Federal health officials’ decision to reopen the nation’s nursing homes to visitors Wednesday was “the right thing” to do, leading long-term care advocates said. The decision was made in light...
‘Breakthrough’ COVID cases may mean testing is here to stay: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 23, 2021
“The idea that we could be entirely done with testing in the post-vaccine world is probably not a good one right now,” says a well-known neuroscientist.