It’s official: Omicron causes less severe COVID-19 illness than prior variants, CDC study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant is much less likely to cause severe illness and death than its predecessors, according to a new analysis of U.S. data from December 2020 through mid-January 2022.
Few Medicare recipients enroll in cardiac rehab, despite expanded benefits
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 11, 2021
Cardiac rehab participation rose among Medicare recipients with heart failure after coverage expansion in 2014, but the numbers remain abysmally low at less than 10%, a new study has found.
CDC: Prevalence of severe arthritis pain has risen across U.S.
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 04, 2022
Certain states are especially ripe for arthritis-related health interventions, a study of state data reveals.
Company reports early success with stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s
Jun 29, 2023
A stem cell replacement therapy has been found to be safe in patients living with Parkinson’s disease. Developers will now test whether the treatment can help to restore lost function.
CDC: Prepare for rebound in TB cases post-pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 21, 2022
A 20% decline in tuberculosis cases in 2020 may be followed by an uptick once the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, according to CDC investigators. Clinicians should be prepared to detect cases and control spread,...
Norovirus outbreaks trouble LTCFs; prevention needed, CDC researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 17, 2021
During the study period, 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico reported more than 13,000 norovirus outbreaks and upwards of 410,000 outbreak-associated cases in long-term care facilities.
Frailty tied to improvements after cardiac surgery, but also readmission, PA stays
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 12, 2023
Before making decisions about cardiac surgery, clinicians and older patients should weigh frailty’s effects on potential outcomes using validated assessment tools, researchers say.
MRSA and VRE persist in resident rooms, nursing home study finds
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
May 18, 2022
Two common types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can linger in resident rooms — even during changes of occupancy, a new facility study finds.
Blood thinner reduces acute-care stays of COVID-19 patients: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 06, 2021
Moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients who receive a full dose of heparin have less need for mechanical ventilation, and improved chances of leaving the hospital, a new trial has found.
Calculator predicts elders’ need for palliative care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
A new online tool can help frail older adults and their clinicians estimate six-month life expectancy and better plan for end-of-life care, according to real-world studies from Canada.