J&J vaccine effective against COVID Delta variant, drugmaker says
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 06, 2021
Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine prompts a “strong neutralizing antibody response” that lasts at least eight months, the drugmaker has announced.
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.
One quarter of Americans will experience ‘severe need’ for long-term care services: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
About one fifth will require no services at all, a new analysis shows. But a sizable number will “experience the type of severe needs that most people dread,” the investigators say.
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...
Only 4 states have hit 75 percent LTC staff vaccination goal, new CMS data reveal
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 30, 2021
States that have achieved the industry’s June 30 goal are Hawaii, Vermont, Alaska and California, with staff member vaccination rates ranging from 83% to 75%. By contrast, the lowest-ranked state...
Wearers of medical masks and respirators have same infection rates in healthcare settings: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 24, 2021
The risk of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result was the same among healthcare workers who wore either type of mask, investigators say. In contrast, their non-mask-wearing colleagues had significantly...
Multi-drug resistance is rising in urinary E coli, analysis reveals
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 23, 2021
The task of finding effective first-line antibiotics for common urinary tract infections is becoming more difficult as antimicrobial resistance rises, a new study suggests.
Cognition appears unaffected or even improved by certain drugs commonly prescribed to older adults
By
Donna Shryer
Jun 22, 2021
Growing evidence suggests that statin therapy is not associated with incident dementia, mild cognitive impairment or decline in individual cognition domains. Meanwhile, a second study finds that antihypertensives...
Tooth loss may affect ability to carry out everyday tasks
By
Donna Shryer
Jun 22, 2021
A new study points to the importance of proper nutrition and oral hygiene among older adults.
Hip replacement patients ‘present a worrying picture’ regarding post-surgery exercise, investigators...
By
Donna Shryer
Jun 21, 2021
Additional efforts are needed to help patients get up to a healthy level of physical activity following total hip arthroplasty, according to the results of a recent study published in The Journal of Bone...