Nursing homes, feds hide sky-high antipsychotic use with dubious diagnoses: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 20, 2021
At least one-fifth of nursing home residents are taking the drugs, many for schizophrenia, a diagnosis that has skyrocketed in these settings since 2012, a new investigation finds.
Clinical briefs for Monday, Sept. 20
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 20, 2021
CNAs remain least vaccinated, requiring ‘large-scale’ solution … AARP says Florida leads nation in COVID deaths of nursing home residents, staff … Hardware-free virtual physical therapy system...
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.
Elders get a cognitive boost after positive social interactions, mobile study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 15, 2021
In a smartphone-enabled study, adults aged 70 years and older had better cognitive performance the same day that they reported having more frequent, pleasant social interactions than usual — and on the...
Prescribing patterns in nursing homes may impact that of assisted living neighbors, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 14, 2021
Antipsychotic and anti-anxiety prescribing in nursing homes may have an effect on prescribing in local and affiliated assisted living communities, investigators have found.
U.S. lawmakers ramp up scrutiny of FDA following agency’s approval of controversial Alzheimer’s drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 07, 2021
The FDA is being asked to help explain how Aduhelm (aducanumab) met accelerated approval criteria when so many experts — including internal advisers — have flagged insufficient safety and efficacy...
NAMS updates guidance for managing osteoporosis in older women
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 07, 2021
Lifelong treatment is required to keep osteoporosis under control in post-menopausal women, and hormone therapy is often the best choice to prevent further bone loss, according to the North American Menopause...
Increases in non-COVID infections ‘wipe out’ decade of progress
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 03, 2021
The CDC’s new report of a spike in healthcare associated infections is alarming, says the nation’s leading infection control group. One bright spot for nursing homes: CDC found no increase in Clostridium...
SNF residents avoid repeat hospitalization with nurse-led heart failure program
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 03, 2021
Sixty days after admission, patients in the disease management program had a lower composite rate of rehospitalization, ED visits or mortality when compared with their peers who had usual care. The program...
Orthostatic intolerance common in post-acute patients, signaling need for clinical workup
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 02, 2021
Older rehabilitation patients should be assessed for symptoms of orthostatic intolerance upon admission, a new study suggests.