Omicron remains lethal in the older and unvaccinated, former CDC chief warns
Mar 23, 2022
The next wave of COVID-19 is on its way and unvaccinated elders are at risk of being hit hard, according to former CDC director Tom Frieden, M.D. “If we learn quickly and act quickly, we can outmaneuver...
OSHA accepting new comments on healthcare worker COVID-19 protection rule
By
Lois A. Bowers
Mar 23, 2022
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is accepting additional comments as it establishes a final rule meant to protect long-term care workers and other healthcare providers from exposure to...
Docs struggle with making MCI diagnoses, 2022 Alzheimer’s report finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 23, 2022
Less than half of primary care physicians surveyed report being comfortable diagnosing mild cognitive impairment that’s due to Alzheimer’s disease. Fully 90% told researchers that it is “hard...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, March 23
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 23, 2022
U.S. flu activity slowly picking up: CDC update … Pfizer pulls certain blood pressure drugs off market due to contamination … Risks of knee surgery no higher for octogenarians than younger patients,...
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...
Vaccines highly effective against severe omicron illness, CDC research assures
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
Two or three COVID-19 vaccine doses provided 90% protection against invasive mechanical ventilation or in-hospital death during both the delta and omicron periods, according to new CDC data.
Specialists propose new framework for dialysis decisions in the elderly
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
Older, frail patients with kidney failure may benefit from a new approach to dialysis discussions that supports a deferred decision, experts say.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, March 22
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2022
Fauci: Omicron variant BA.2 at least 50% more contagious, so uptick in cases expected … Genetic tests of saliva offer faster results for SARS-CoV-2 than nasal swabs … FDA approves first transdermal...
Repeat booster jabs for residents? COVID-19 immunity in nursing homes wanes quickly, large study shows
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 21, 2022
Results from hundreds of facilities demonstrate not only the value of booster vaccinations, but that there may be an ongoing need for additional shots in the long-term care population.
Second antigen test bumps accuracy to 94%, workplace study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 21, 2022
The results may help employers decide how best to employ rapid antigen tests — especially in settings where quick results are important and widespread PCR testing is cost prohibitive, the researchers...