New CDC data: Vaccinated older adults have low chance of COVID hospitalization
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 09, 2021
The three FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in keeping the oldest adults out of the hospital, according to federal data released Friday.
Show us the data: COVID vaccine boosters may get go-ahead, but LTC docs remain wary
By
Alicia Lasek
Danielle Brown
Aug 09, 2021
Booster shots for the most vulnerable appear to be on a fast track to federal authorization. But clinicians want information about necessity, safety, dosing and more to justify prescribing an extra dose...
New cases of antifungal-resistant yeast infections in nursing homes alarm CDC
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 26, 2021
For the first time, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention has identified U.S. nursing home residents and hospital patients with candida auris yeast infections that resist all first-line antifungal...
CDC: Portable air cleaners cut exposure to COVID-19 virus by 65 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 06, 2021
In a simulated meeting with infected and uninfected participants, properly placed portable air cleaners with HEPA air filters slashed virus transmission. Adding masks was even more effective — cutting...
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.
U.S. reps launch ‘much-needed’ LTC infection control and prevention caucus
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
A new bipartisan congressional caucus will identify opportunities for sorely needed infection control and prevention reform legislation in long-term care, say the two Florida representatives who spearheaded...
APIC annual convention starts Sunday with special LTC track
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 25, 2021
The opening day of the annual APIC convention features an all-day line-up Sunday specifically focusing on long-term care, subtitled “The future is now.”
Safety means ‘seeing the virus’: Atria recounts rollout of 18,000 tests early in pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
Finding a way to conduct COVID-19 testing among 31,000 residents and staff members across multiple states helped the senior living giant to “seal out” outbreaks and show that its communities were safe...
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...
Infection control, medication storage regulations continue to plague nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
May 17, 2021
Nursing home providers struggled with implementing infection control plans last year, according to a review of surveyor data during 2020.