LTC providers missing residents’ hearing problems due to masks, other PPE … U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program prevented nearly 280,000 excess deaths … Tooth loss tied to cognitive decline, but timely...
CDC: Portable air cleaners cut exposure to COVID-19 virus by 65 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 06, 2021
In a simulated meeting with infected and uninfected participants, properly placed portable air cleaners with HEPA air filters slashed virus transmission. Adding masks was even more effective — cutting...
Feds revoke emergency use of some respirators, mask decontamination in healthcare settings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 02, 2021
Healthcare personnel are no longer authorized to use certain respirators not approved by NIOSH or technology for cleaning disposable masks, the FDA says.
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...
Reach for N95s when community COVID rates spike, Harvard scientists urge healthcare workers
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 16, 2021
The CDC has relaxed rules for wearing respirators in healthcare settings, but a team of Harvard doctors is encouraging workers to keep an eye on local COVID-19 rates. The superior fit and filtration of...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, June 10
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 10, 2021
Operator changes plans, will wait for full FDA approval to enforce COVID vaccination deadline among staff … Colorado drops mask mandate for assisted living communities … FDA panel member resigns over...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, June 8
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2021
People who never wear masks are twice as likely to get COVID, poll shows … CDC: mRNA vaccines found to reduce COVID severity in breakthrough infections among vaccinated people … Knowledge of palliative...
I’ve just seen a face
By
Gary Tetz
May 27, 2021
I don’t want to put a hex on the situation with a premature celebration, but the downward trajectory of the pandemic makes it appear that long-term care people can finally perhaps maybe start discretely...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, May 4
By
Alicia Lasek
May 04, 2021
Providers see slight increase in COVID vaccine uptake among staff … FDA revokes EUA for Battelle mask decontamination system … Top 20 drugs by worldwide sales in 2020 reported … Eye and skin irritant...
In breakthrough, feds OK nursing home visits, group dining and activities; update infection control guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 28, 2021
After nearly a year in lockdown, nursing home residents can participate in indoor visitation, communal dining and group activities — with exceptions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced...