CMS starts posting nursing home vaccination rates … New OSHA standard requires paid time off for vaccination, COVID case tracking and notification … US extends expiration dates for J&J COVID vaccine...
FDA approves first pneumococcal vaccine to protect against 20 types of bug
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 10, 2021
Pfizer’s Prevnar 20 protects against microorganisms that cause more than half of the invasive pneumococcal disease cases found in seniors — including bacteremia and meningitis, the company says.
Surgery favored over conservative care for knee osteoarthritis, Medicare study suggests
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 10, 2021
Seniors with knee osteoarthritis had low rates of dedicated non-surgical care between 2005 and 2010, a new investigation reveals. Study findings suggest that surgery may often be used when conservative...
COVID may indeed be seasonal; rates likely to rise as temperature, mitigation measures fall
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 10, 2021
Temperature and population density determine how easily the virus spreads — but only when localities have no mobility restrictions in place, a new study shows.
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...
Rates of illness, death, hospital admissions plummet in seniors after vaccine rollout: CDC
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
The steep declines in COVID-19 illness and mortality among the most vaccinated age group in the U.S. — seniors — demonstrate the potential impact of increasing vaccination coverage nationally, CDC...
Safety means ‘seeing the virus’: Atria recounts rollout of 18,000 tests early in pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
Finding a way to conduct COVID-19 testing among 31,000 residents and staff members across multiple states helped the senior living giant to “seal out” outbreaks and show that its communities were safe...
Engaging CNAs in COVID vaccination: 4 points to consider
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
“Providing CNAs with information, resources, support, and opportunity will not only serve to improve vaccine receptivity, but may also have downstream benefits,” say geriatric nursing experts from...
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, June 9
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
Twist in the FDA’s Alzheimer’s decision: no limits on which patients can get the drug … Biden administration advises changes to policies linked to N95 shortages … Frailty tied to increased mortality...
FDA allows injections, reduced dose of COVID monoclonal antibody therapy
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2021
An effective but arguably underused COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy now may be more accessible for long-term care facilities that aren’t equipped to deliver intravenous infusions.