New C. difficile treatment guidelines advise fidaxomicin over vancomycin
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Fidaxomicin should be the antibiotic of choice when treating adults with Clostridioides difficile infection, according to new guidance from U.S. infectious disease experts. And monoclonal antibodies can...
Older women recount more pandemic stress struggles than older men
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Although feelings of optimism prevailed overall, older female survey respondents were more likely than their male peers to say that they were struggling in 2021 — from finances to mental health.
Ecumen to market infection control tracking tool developed by employee
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Abxtracker software is designed specifically for use in the long-term care industry, and is aligned with CMS regulations. The technology can track COVID-19 and other viral, fungal or bacterial infections,...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, June 29
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 29, 2021
Telehealth used in only 13% of Medicare clinician visits during pandemic … House leaders to investigate FDA approval and price of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug … Early study of mRNA flu vaccine prompted...
Long-term care residents, staff may top list for COVID boosters: CDC advisers
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 28, 2021
Most residents were vaccinated early, and time from vaccination plays into waning effectiveness, CDC advisers say. What’s more, this population already requires special considerations for other vaccines....
GlaxoSmithKline plans Shingrix push; new RSV shot for elders in works
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 28, 2021
GSK’s shingles vaccine will get a renewed marketing push following a large drop in sales during the pandemic, and the company is aiming to launch a fast-tracked shot for a common respiratory virus...
Unintended effects: Antibiotic prescribing falls 79 percent for respiratory viruses
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 28, 2021
Rates have remained low throughout the pandemic, and appear to be the consequence of measures to curb COVID-19 transmission. The same public health strategies could be used to help reduce antibiotic overprescribing...
Clinical briefs for Monday, June 28
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 28, 2021
To save itself, Medicare could deny coverage of controversial new Alzheimer’s drug, expert predicts … Aduhelm most appropriate for early dementia, MCI, experts say … Eli Lilly to seek early approval...
Eliminating residents’ chronic pain not a realistic goal: Aim for quality of life, experts tell...
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 24, 2021
Even the best, multimodal treatment strategies may be only 30% effective, say the authors of a new review and pain management guide.
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...