New behavior management guidelines support person-centered dementia care
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 18, 2020
Properly addressing the distress that underlies dementia-related behaviors is key to improving quality of life and preventing rapid decline in these patients, according to new guidance from leading dementia...
Only half of medical residents consistently complete SNF discharge summaries for patients, survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 18, 2021
Medical residents don’t appear to know as much about transitioning patients to post-acute care as they say they do, a new survey finds. With discharges to post-acute care expected to spike, closing this...
New definition of “pain” considers the elderly
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 17, 2020
For the first time in 40 years, a global authority has revised its clinical definition of pain, recognizing those who can’t describe their experience verbally.
CMS must refine data on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, OIG says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
The Minimum Data Set should not be CMS’ sole source for determining the number of nursing home residents using antipsychotic drugs, according to a new report from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.
Dementia risk rises with younger age of type 2 diabetes onset: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 30, 2021
The odds of dementia in later life are greater the younger an adult is when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, investigators say. But prediabetes and late-life diabetes diagnoses are not linked to subsequent...
Despite PPE, healthcare workers face greater risk of positive COVID-19 test
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Frontline providers with access to “adequate” personal protective equipment are three times more likely to test positive for the coronavirus than the general public. The rate rises to fivefold among...
Prediabetes at midlife tied to later fracture risk
By
Alicia Lasek
May 23, 2023
Clinicians may wish to consider treating prediabetes in women as an early, modifiable risk factor for fracture, investigators say.
Surgery may accelerate Alzheimer’s in at-risk patients, scientists contend
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 22, 2021
Memory test scores were significantly worse nine months after surgery in study participants who had markers of Alzheimer’s brain plaques, but no sign of dementia before surgery.
CDC: Many COVID-19 infections undetected in healthcare workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 02, 2020
A study of more than 3,200 providers has found a high proportion with evidence of a previous infection and no prior diagnosis and/or symptoms.
Delirium present in 60 percent of residents’ acute illnesses, but tricky to diagnose: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 15, 2021
Delirium may accompany 60% of the acute illnesses and adverse health events that occur commonly among residents, investigators say. Along with infections, regular use of benzodiazepines was linked to the...