Remote infection control assessments have superior reach in early pandemic trial
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 29, 2021
Virtual infection prevention and control assessments reached four times as many skilled nursing facilities as onsite visits in the same timeframe, according to a study in 92 SNFs early in the pandemic.
Town hall meetings reveal vaccine misinformation ‘widespread’ among SNF staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 29, 2021
“Outspoken” staff members from 50 skilled nursing facilities shared their vaccine concerns with investigators in a series of meetings this winter. The speed of vaccine development and infertility-...
Mask prioritization ‘upside-down’; eldercare workers should be No. 1 recipient: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 15, 2021
Frontline staff may be exposed to as much or more cough and COVID-19 droplets than ICU workers performing intubations, according to some researchers and anesthesiologists.
Clinical briefs for Monday, March 1
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 01, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine shipments to jump 40% this week … FDA: Pfizer vaccine can be stored at higher temp for up to 2 weeks … Statins again linked to reduced COVID-19 mortality — this time by 50% … The...
Biden to speed up vaccinations; second dose shortage unlikely, advisers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 15, 2021
Biden aims to have 100 million vaccines administered in his first 100 days. Meetings with manufacturers have bolstered confidence that supply will steadily increase, an advisory board member said.
Older adults’ mental health is resilient during pandemic, new study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2021
Older adults say that they are no worse off on some indicators of loneliness and overall mental health than they were five years ago, though general happiness has declined. Technology has been a coping...
More than 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses await use in long-term care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 05, 2021
Two weeks after nearly 2.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were distributed to U.S. states for use in long-term care, approximately 280,000 residents and staff members have been vaccinated.
‘Out in the cold’: LTC pharmacies ask to be matched with vaccination sites, relief funds
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2020
As their businesses groan under the weight of COVID-19-related expenses, long-term care pharmacists are pressing federal officials for relief funds and asking for a bigger role in coronavirus vaccinations.
The vaccine was most protective — at 90% efficacy — when participants received an initial half dose and then a full dose a month apart, the U.K. drugmaker says.
Moderna’s COVID vaccine tops 90% efficacy, can be refrigerated for 1 month
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2020
Moderna’s trial vaccine will have big distribution advantages over Pfizer’s similarly successful candidate if both drugs are approved by the FDA.