LTC vaccinators opt to briefly halt J&J shots while awaiting FDA guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 14, 2021
Long-term care pharmacies and clinicians have temporarily paused their use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID vaccine following recommendations from health officials. Guidance is needed quickly in order to...
Flu shot and a COVID jab? New 2021-2022 flu vaccine guidance points to both
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 27, 2021
Clinicians deciding whether to give flu and COVID-19 vaccine shots together can refer to the latest CDC guidance. It states that COVID-19 shots and other vaccinations may now be co-administered “without...
USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography from ages 40 to 74
May 10, 2023
New draft recommendations advocate starting biennial mammographies at age 40. Evidence said to be insufficient for screenings in women aged 75 years and older.
WHO turns attention to fungal infections as drug resistance builds
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 26, 2022
The World Health Organization has created a first-ever priority list of fungi that it says pose the greatest emerging threats to public health.
Federal ‘all or none’ sepsis policy a wash in multi-hospital study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
SEP-1 requirements meant to combat staggering sepsis rates in the U.S. did not lead to clinically meaningful patient outcomes in 11 UPMC hospitals, physician-scientists say.
FDA OKs third antibody COVID therapy; variants spur new pause on another
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 01, 2021
A new COVID-19 treatment made by GlaxoSmithKline now is the third monoclonal antibody therapy federally authorized to help prevent severe disease outcomes in high-risk patients. But gene variants are interfering...
Medicare Advantage retaining sicker patients with more complex health needs: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2023
After years of criticism for cherry-picking healthier people for enrollment, Medicare Advantage is now holding onto more patients with chronic conditions, investigators say.
Q&A: Are you listening? A veteran provider on fostering engagement with Black and brown staff, residents
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 26, 2021
The pandemic has trained a spotlight on numerous healthcare disparities faced by Black and brown long-term care residents. Monica Payne, a veteran clinical manager for Omnicare, says that reflecting on...
Why nutrition is key to fending off isolation in older adults
By
Charlie Wilson
May 10, 2022
Improving culinary operations not only provides better nutrition and variety for residents of senior living communities, but may help improve their mental health, a provider says.
U.S. COVID-19 strategy must veer to protecting the vulnerable, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
When planning for a future with COVID-19, some clinicians believe that the public health focus should turn from stopping transmission to protecting those most likely to become severely ill, according to...