Nursing homes, feds hide sky-high antipsychotic use with dubious diagnoses: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 20, 2021
At least one-fifth of nursing home residents are taking the drugs, many for schizophrenia, a diagnosis that has skyrocketed in these settings since 2012, a new investigation finds.
Clinical briefs for Monday, Sept. 20
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 20, 2021
CNAs remain least vaccinated, requiring ‘large-scale’ solution … AARP says Florida leads nation in COVID deaths of nursing home residents, staff … Hardware-free virtual physical therapy system...
Two-thirds of neurologists expect to start some patients on Aduhelm next year: survey
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 17, 2021
The outlook for the Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab (Aduhelm) is looking up, investigators say. There are small increases in the number of Aduhelm prescribers, and an uptick in patients for whom the...
Norovirus outbreaks trouble LTCFs; prevention needed, CDC researchers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 17, 2021
During the study period, 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico reported more than 13,000 norovirus outbreaks and upwards of 410,000 outbreak-associated cases in long-term care facilities.
Rising obesity rates reflected in nursing homes; care challenges remain unmet, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 17, 2021
This newer bariatric population can present equipment needs and care challenges for staff that some nursing home operators are not yet prepared meet, industry observers and researchers say.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Sept. 17
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 17, 2021
Skilled nursing facilities invited to participate in flu management study with geriatrician leaders … Use of religious vaccination exemptions could grow after judge blocks mandate … Rapid tests key...
Vaccine potency wanes, but third COVID shot restores 95 percent efficacy, new data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2021
New data from vaccine maker Pfizer and Israel’s health ministry may help U.S. health agencies make a case for recommending COVID-19 booster shots, various sources report.
Dehydration plagues nursing home residents with COVID in facility study
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2021
Clinically significant dehydration is very common among residents with COVID-19 — especially those with dementia or delirium, investigators found. Care providers should be ready with IV fluids and a...
Half of clinical leaders surveyed say telehealth has increased quality of care
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2021
Most post-acute care leaders are dissatisfied with their current clinician provider coverage, but some say that virtual care such as telehealth has helped them to increase care quality, according to a...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Sept. 16
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 16, 2021
U.S. to limit states’ access to COVID antibody treatments as demand rises … Aggressively reducing Alzheimer’s risk factors could mean 1.2 million fewer cases in 2050: experts … NIH launches nationwide...