Public Health Emergency to end May 11, Biden announces … Nursing homes finally seeing benefits of Medicare Advantage supplemental services … OSHA signals ‘increased aggressiveness’ in combating...
H. pylori more antibiotic-resistant since start of COVID: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2023
A common bacteria that causes ulcers and gastritis in the elderly has developed a high resistance to key antibiotics.
FDA proposes two annual COVID shots for seniors in ‘simplified’ vaccine schedule
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2023
In an effort to streamline COVID-19 protection, older adults and others vulnerable to severe disease would receive two annual shots of an updated vaccine, according to a plan to be evaluated on Thursday...
Head injury doubles 30-year mortality risk, deaths tied to neuro diseases: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2023
The more severe the injury, the greater the risk, investigators report. Many of these eventual deaths are linked to neurological conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Jan. 24
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 24, 2023
Seasonal flu activity continues to decline, latest data shows … CDC: Omicron variant XBB.1.5 now makes up nearly half of COVID cases … A record low: Less than half of Americans are happy with...
CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...
CDC: Stroke ‘very unlikely’ in seniors who receive updated COVID vaccine booster
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 18, 2023
The CDC is investigating bivalent booster shot safety after one of its monitoring systems flagged a potential risk of stroke among seniors.
Two drugs commonly used to treat heart failure equally improve patient survival, a finding that has “immediate clinical applications,” investigators say.
Tap water is not sterile for use in medical devices; many people unaware, CDC finds
Jan 13, 2023
Large numbers of Americans mistakenly believe that tap water is safe for use in home medical devices such as CPAP machines, a CDC survey reveals.
U.S. vaccine acceptance grows by 20 percent from 2021 to 2022: survey
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 12, 2023
“Vaccination remains a cornerstone of the COVID-19 pandemic response, but broad public support remains elusive,” the researchers said.