Lawmakers seek to bolster Medicare, Medicaid mental health coverage
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 07, 2022
Senators cited constituent concerns about so-called ghost networks — listings of physicians who are unavailable to provide care.
EHR score can predict an older adult’s critical illness during primary care visit
By
Kristen Fischer
Mar 12, 2024
A new risk assessment model delivered over electronic health records (EHRs) worked well to predict an older adult’s critical illness within a year of a primary care visit. Authors said the findings could...
New VA program to target 30K veterans for improved cholesterol care
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 28, 2023
U.S. veterans with cardiovascular disease and stubborn high cholesterol are the focus of a new program that aims to lower their risk of recurrent heart attack or stroke.
Stroke survivors double functional improvement rate with vagus nerve stimulation: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 27, 2021
Vagus nerve stimulation during post-stroke rehabilitation can significantly boost the improvement rate of arm and hand function, a new study finds.
Vetting COVID-19 vaccine in bariatric population is essential, investigator says
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2020
Judging from the performance of other vaccines, some experts are concerned that a COVID-19 inoculation will be less effective in people with obesity than for those with a lower body mass.
Coronavirus vaccines must take elders’ weaker immune systems into account: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 23, 2020
Residents’ weaker immune systems could dilute the effectiveness of future coronavirus vaccines. Solutions are in the works, finds a new report.
Nearly all high-touch surfaces in LTC are contaminated, study finds
By
Amy Novotney
Feb 18, 2022
More than 90% of “high-touch” surfaces in long-term care facilities, including handrails and equipment controls, are contaminated with fecal matter and other potential sources of infectious...
Panel on non-invasive ventilation seeks to simplify ‘maze’ of regulation for device coverage
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 20, 2021
Recommendations aimed at expediting CMS coverage determinations for non-invasive ventilation devices could help ensure that LTCF residents and others get quick access to lifesaving treatments.
Norovirus cases on the rise; stomach ailment often targets seniors
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 12, 2023
Cases of norovirus infection, a common scourge of long-term care facilities, have risen steadily across the US in recent months, CDC data show.
FDA may authorize half-dose booster of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 30, 2021
A 50-microgram dose appears to be effective enough to increase waning vaccine protection, and may reduce the risk of side effects, sources tell investigators.