FDA proposes two annual COVID shots for seniors in ‘simplified’ vaccine schedule
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2023
In an effort to streamline COVID-19 protection, older adults and others vulnerable to severe disease would receive two annual shots of an updated vaccine, according to a plan to be evaluated on Thursday...
Antibiotics remain overprescribed in nursing homes — despite stewardship efforts, MDS study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 02, 2020
An analysis of Minimum Data Set assessments has found that overall antibiotic use in nursing homes did not change from 2012 to 2016. There was also an increase in use where no infection was reported.
Residents with self-care disability less likely to receive cancer treatment
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 05, 2021
Many nursing home residents do not receive cancer-directed treatment, and they are even less likely to do so if they have a self-care disability, according to a new study.
Ouch: Falls injuries continue to rise among U.S. seniors, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 24, 2022
Despite ongoing prevention efforts, falls injury rates are increasing by 1.5% annually among older adults, Medicare claims show. Limitations in long-term care coverage don’t help, investigators say.
State to test nursing home residents for antibodies, weigh need for 4th vax
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2022
The state of Maryland will test nursing home residents for COVID-19 antibodies in a proactive effort to determine whether or not they should be offered a fourth vaccine dose, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced...
A nap’s benefits: Afternoon snooze tied to better memory in older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2021
A new study has found significantly better cognitive function results in older adults who take a regular afternoon nap. But “unintentional” nappers didn’t perform as well on word recall,...
Virtual EMR review may improve care delivery during resident transfers, nurses say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 21, 2023
With the correct supports in place, virtual review of transferred residents’ electronic medical records may help nursing home clinicians deliver continuity of care and effective interventions, LTC nurses...
Medical director shares wins, challenges of nursing home’s pandemic response
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 23, 2020
Once described as the epicenter of West Virginia’s COVID-19 outbreak, a 100-bed facility gained control of its infection and mortality rate. A new study details its most helpful strategies — and biggest...
Nursing home clinicians still overdiagnose UTIs despite antibiotic stewardship efforts: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2022
As a group, primary care providers and RNs misclassified UTIs about one-third of the time, an investigator tells McKnight’s. Nurses had greater odds of an incorrect assessment.
LTC clinicians cheer pandemic milestone: Federal approval of first COVID-19 vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 24, 2021
Long-term care clinicians are embracing the FDA’s first full approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, saying the decision will support their efforts to increase vaccination coverage and reduce infections and...