This season’s flu vaccinations linked to lower COVID-19 likelihood, severity
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 24, 2021
People who received a flu vaccination were 24% less likely to test positive for COVID-19. And those who did contract the disease had a less severe course when compared with people who didn’t get a flu...
Booster shots in LTC? Feds pledge quick approval of new drugs
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 24, 2021
Booster shots that target emergent coronavirus strains could be welcome protection for LTC residents if the drugs meet efficacy and safety standards, clinicians say.
New blood pressure target for kidney patients could impact millions, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 24, 2021
An estimated 24 million Americans with chronic kidney disease are candidates for intensive blood pressure control under new guidelines from Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes, say Johns Hopkins...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Feb. 24
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 24, 2021
COVID-19 cases declining faster in skilled nursing facilities than U.S. overall, CMS data show … Study identifies preferable treatment for outpatient diverticulitis … Mobile antibody infusion unit...
COVID-19 cases fall for fifth straight week: Infectious disease expert explains why
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 23, 2021
New coronavirus seven-day case averages have fallen in 43 states, and hospitalizations have dipped in 49, according to a new report.
Vaccines safe for long-term care residents, first-month data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 23, 2021
Resident deaths following receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination are not linked to the shot, according to data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Staff buy-in key to reducing ED visits with telemedicine, senior living study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 23, 2021
An attempt to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits with telemedicine triage failed when senior living healthcare providers were not on board. The findings contain lessons for for clinicians and...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Feb. 23
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 22, 2021
COVID symptoms persist up to 9 months, even after mild disease … FDA posts safety alert for pulse oximeters … Alzheimer’s drug tops list of ‘most anticipated’ drug launches of 2021 … Providers...
Most COVID-19 antibody treatments given in assisted living, analysts find
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 22, 2021
Fully 67% of monoclonal antibody treatments have been administered in assisted living communities. Health officials would like to encourage greater use.
Routine vaccinations among older Medicare beneficiaries have not yet recovered from their pandemic slump. Stepped-up efforts to resolve the disruption are necessary, and may give clinicians a chance to...