Only 4 states have hit 75 percent LTC staff vaccination goal, new CMS data reveal
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
States that have achieved the industry’s June 30 goal are Hawaii, Vermont, Alaska and California, with staff member vaccination rates ranging from 83% to 75%. By contrast, the lowest-ranked state...
Town hall meetings reveal vaccine misinformation ‘widespread’ among SNF staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 29, 2021
“Outspoken” staff members from 50 skilled nursing facilities shared their vaccine concerns with investigators in a series of meetings this winter. The speed of vaccine development and infertility-...
CNAs cite staffing shortage as biggest on-the-job challenge: survey
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Mar 07, 2022
“This survey reveals not only that CNAs are burned out and frustrated, but also that the CNA staffing shortage itself is posing the greatest challenge to their work right now,” NAHCA CEO Lori Porter...
Specialists propose new framework for dialysis decisions in the elderly
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
Older, frail patients with kidney failure may benefit from a new approach to dialysis discussions that supports a deferred decision, experts say.
Docs push for new COVID-19 funding as signs point to rebound in U.S. omicron cases
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2022
The alternative is to risk leaving patients without access to needed vaccines, treatments and testing, the American College of Physicians has told Congress.
Fed’s booster OK too late? Nursing home loses 8 to coronavirus outbreak this fall
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2021
A Connecticut nursing home has weathered a facility-wide COVID-19 outbreak that has sickened 89 residents and staff. Booster shots were not yet authorized when the first cases appeared, the operator reports.
Valid dementia verdict? Nursing home and hospital diagnoses now better aligned, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
May 03, 2021
Medicare’s dementia claim measures appear to have become more sensitive in recent years, agreeing more closely with hospital-based measures overall and for certain populations than in the past, investigators...
FDA approves first-ever eye drop that corrects age-related vision loss
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 02, 2021
The new drug, Vuity, adjusts pupil size and corrects near vision without affecting distance vision, drugmaker Allergan says.
Generic for Viagra holds promise as Alzheimer’s disease treatment, Cleveland Clinic researchers say
Dec 08, 2021
Users of sildenafil are 69% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than their peers who do not use the drug, investigators report. A clinical trial to confirm its benefits for Alzheimer’s patients...
Lawmakers push FDA to take swift action on OTC hearing aids
By
Diane Eastabrook
Apr 12, 2022
A bipartisan team has introduced a bill that orders the FDA to stop dragging its feet and issue a final rule making over-the-counter hearing aids available to consumers.