CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...
Opt-in COVID vaccine program kicks off; Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2020
Long-term care facilities nationwide can voluntarily opt in to a free pharmacy partnership program that will provide and administer future COVID-19 vaccines on site, federal officials announced Friday.
More U.S. prostate cancer patients choosing active surveillance over treatment
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 05, 2023
The findings highlight a growing comfort level with observation among physicians and patients, and an increase in the proportion of men who benefit from active surveillance, investigators say.
Hurricanes hastened the deaths of adults with dementia, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 08, 2023
People with Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD) had higher mortality rates in U.S. counties that had recently experienced a hurricane disaster, investigators report.
Frailty may better predict COVID-19 survival than age, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 20, 2020
Among 250 hospitalized study participants, 75% survived the disease. Degree of frailty better indicated the likelihood of recovery and discharge than patient age, investigators say.
Ambulatory function in older cancer patients tied to survival
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 08, 2021
A new study highlights the importance of monitoring ambulatory function after cancer, particularly in older survivors, the researchers say.
Nursing home residents may have better CPR outcomes than their community-dwelling peers: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 14, 2021
Withholding vigorous treatment for cardiac arrest solely based on nursing home residential status is not justified, researchers say.
Coronavirus survives hours in air, 3 days on surfaces, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 13, 2020
The virus may live long enough in the environment to find a new host at a later time, say investigators.
Clinical briefs for Monday, Aug. 24
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 24, 2020
Dozens of surveyors sent to nursing homes without being tested for COVID-19 … Mail-order pharmacy use rises due to pandemic … Uber Health launches prescription delivery service … Aging heart cells...
Repeat booster jabs for residents? COVID-19 immunity in nursing homes wanes quickly, large study shows
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 21, 2022
Results from hundreds of facilities demonstrate not only the value of booster vaccinations, but that there may be an ongoing need for additional shots in the long-term care population.