It is tempting to run to my internist and beg for an antibiotic to stem what could be a sinus infection, but is more likely, much like the polar vortex, a cold that won’t go away. I was reminded...
C. diff spotlight: Vaccine trial and caregiver checklist
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 07, 2013
Back in June, I declared medication to be the long-term care topic of the summer. But this week, a different topic has stolen the spotlight: Clostridium difficile.
FDA responds to provider pressure, backs off stricter control of fecal transplants for C. diff
By
McKnight's Staff
Jun 19, 2013
Individuals with treatment-resistant Clostridium difficile can undergo fecal transplants after giving informed consent, the Food and Drug Administration recently announced. This is a victory for providers,...
FDA — full of poop?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jun 11, 2013
Every few days I read the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) news to see if there is anything relevant to eldercare that I should be aware of. Recently, I came across an extremely eye-opening item.
Fecal transplants to treat C. diff now need FDA approval
By
McKnight's Staff
May 17, 2013
The Food and Drug Administration is moving to tighten regulations around fecal transplants, which research has shown to be an effective treatment for Clostridium difficile infection.
Depressed, lonely seniors are more likely to get C. diff, researchers find
By
McKnight's Staff
May 09, 2013
People who are depressed or lonely are at increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection, according to recently published research.
Stomach acid drugs raise risk of C. diff
By
Elizabeth Newman
May 01, 2013
Stomach acid is often treated with medications such as Pepcid, but that could put long-term care residents or hospitalized patients at risk for Clostridium difficile, according to a new analysis.
Limiting use of common antihistamines could reduce C. diff in facilities, researchers say
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 29, 2013
Taking antihistamines such as Tagamet, Pepcid and Zantac increases the risk that people in healthcare settings will be infected with Clostridium difficile, according to a recently published study.
Efforts to combat Clostridium difficile are coming up short, survey finds
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 12, 2013
Long-term care operators and other healthcare providers are having limited success in combating Clostridium difficile infections, despite increasing their efforts in the last three years, according to...
Inside the mind of an LTC shrink
By
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D.
Mar 08, 2013
I sat in morning report as the nursing supervisor announced the arrival of a new resident. An 80-year old woman was taken to the hospital after a fall at home, where she received a below-knee amputation...