Pandemic has intensified shift away from SNFs as post-acute care destinations: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 16, 2021
The decrease in discharges to SNFs could have profound implications for the future of post-acute care and may hasten a reckoning about the instability of the nation’s nursing homes, physician researchers...
Dementia diagnosis on inpatient Medicare claims linked to lower mortality and ICU stays
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 22, 2021
Undocumented dementia in nursing home residents who are transferred to acute care is linked to adverse outcomes, a new study finds. The good news is that acute care clinicians may now be recognizing dementia...
Only half of medical residents consistently complete SNF discharge summaries for patients, survey finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 18, 2021
Medical residents don’t appear to know as much about transitioning patients to post-acute care as they say they do, a new survey finds. With discharges to post-acute care expected to spike, closing this...
Delirium present in 60 percent of residents’ acute illnesses, but tricky to diagnose: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 15, 2021
Delirium may accompany 60% of the acute illnesses and adverse health events that occur commonly among residents, investigators say. Along with infections, regular use of benzodiazepines was linked to the...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 19
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2021
With consent required, Illinois is a ‘national model’ for chemical restraint laws in nursing homes, senator says … Biosimilar substitute for rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira gets thumbs-up from FDA...
Alzheimer’s drug designed for ‘at-home’ use scores FDA breakthrough designation
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 12, 2021
The experimental Alzheimer’s drug gantenerumab is the “first and only” anti-amyloid antibody being investigated for subcutaneous administration and could potentially be given to patients...
‘Exceedingly difficult’ to control COVID inside facilities when virus rages outside, LTC experts...
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 22, 2021
Long-term care operators located in areas of high COVID-19 prevalence are hamstrung when it comes to keeping SARS-CoV-2 infections from infiltrating their facilities, the country’s top long-term care...
$2M virtual reality trial to gauge impact on senior living residents with dementia
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 20, 2021
The Phase II trial will evaluate how virtual family engagement affects quality of life for 400 older adults in 12 U.S. long-term care communities.
Feds wait for lowered vaccine efficacy to recommend COVID-19 booster shots
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 22, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will not be necessary until mRNA vaccines become less effective, federal health officials say. But immunocompromised Americans are potential near-term recipients, they told...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, July 7
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 07, 2021
One year of aerobic exercise may stave off decline in mild cognitive impairment … Benefits of mRNA vaccine outweigh adverse heart event risks, CDC researchers conclude … Alzheimer’s Association pushes...