CDC says COVID-19 vaccine boosters not yet necessary, while Pfizer seeks approval for third dose
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
Fully vaccinated Americans do not need a COVID-19 booster shot at this time, according to federal health officials. But Pfizer has asked to offer a third dose of its current vaccine and is developing an...
Antigen tests just as effective as PCR in preventing COVID outbreaks, NIH study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
A “highly anticipated” study now shows that both testing approaches can give 98% sensitivity when used at least twice weekly in a screening program.
25 percent of COVID patients have post-acute symptoms; Report highlights emerging care needs
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 18, 2021
A analysis based on nearly two million private U.S. healthcare claims has identified the most common post-COVID conditions with a focus on age, gender, mental health conditions and mortality. Even 19%...
Facing senior care’s ‘new normal’ head-on
By
Fred Bonaccorso
Jun 08, 2021
According to a recent analysis of Medicare fee-for-service claims incurred through May 2020, there has been a distinct decline in the number of routine hospitalizations among beneficiaries — but a steep...
Feds identify promising and ‘urgently needed’ COVID antiviral drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 04, 2021
The experimental drug TEMPOL has shown promise in early studies, halting the activity of a viral enzyme and limiting the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, June 3
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 03, 2021
Nursing homes’ smaller but continued COVID outbreaks blamed on unvaccinated staff, report finds … U.S. to test mixed COVID vaccine booster dose schedules in vaccinated adults … WHO plans to simplify...
Renovations roll on through COVID-19
By
Larry Slatky
May 03, 2021
Here at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, we had no idea when our $80 million renovation project began that we would soon need every resource our new facility provided to face obstacles imposed...
Feds look to OTC drugs for self-treatment of mild, moderate COVID
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 21, 2021
A large trial is set to study the potential for repurposed, over-the-counter drugs to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms. If found effective, the approval timeline will likely be short, according...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, April 20
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
FDA revokes approval for COVID antibody drug; others remain available … Once-a-week insulin treatment equals daily therapy in diabetes study … Two remedesivir drug combo treatments equally effective,...
Record use of staffing agencies, OT found as largest upswings in occupancy take place: NIC
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 19, 2021
Difficulties finding and retaining workers continue to plague long-term care operators more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest data from the National Investment Center for...