Health officials urge public to consider wearing N95, KN95 respirators
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2022
The CDC has updated its consumer information on wearing face masks during the pandemic. The changes clarify levels of mask protection and emphasize that the public can choose to wear N95 and KN95 respirators...
COVID-19 doubles seniors’ chances of reduced mobility, physical function: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 17, 2022
The results suggest that older patients should be prioritized for rehab interventions with the goal of restoring functional mobility to pre-disease levels, investigators say.
Nursing home clinicians still overdiagnose UTIs despite antibiotic stewardship efforts: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 14, 2022
As a group, primary care providers and RNs misclassified UTIs about one-third of the time, an investigator tells McKnight’s. Nurses had greater odds of an incorrect assessment.
Study: ‘Cognitive frailty’ may be result of aging — not the brain changes found in dementia
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2022
Reduced cognitive function without substantial memory complaints may be a normal part of aging and not an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, investigators say.
HHS to LTC operators: Step up your booster clinic timelines before year ends
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2021
Long-term care operators should speed up plans to help residents boost their immunity before an expected COVID-19 surge hits, a federal official told virtual town hall attendees Tuesday.
FDA set to approve two COVID-19 antiviral pills this week
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2021
FDA is expected to grant emergency use authorization to two antiviral COVID-19 pills this week, possibly as early as today, according to Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Study pinpoints risk factors for extreme skin fragility in older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 21, 2021
More than a quarter of older patients examined in a rehab facility were found to have dermatoporosis, or dangerously fragile skin. Four key factors were associated with higher odds of having the condition,...
Study: A brace tops medical mask modifications to block respiratory pathogens
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 20, 2021
The addition of an elastic brace or double masking are highly successful methods for improving the performance of face masks against respiratory aerosols, according to a new mask modification study from...
Pfizer, Moderna vaccines recommended over Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus shot
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 17, 2021
Americans should preferably be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines due to a rare but serious risk of blood clots and the lesser protection found with the J&J vaccine, CDC says.
Black SNF residents less likely to see ADL skills improve in post-acute stay, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 16, 2021
Black residents have significantly lower odds than white residents of improving independence in activities of daily living after hip fracture and stroke, a study of Medicare and MDS data shows.