Lab charged with billing $358 million for unneeded nursing home COVID tests … Senators tweak proposal, cap certain insulin costs at $35 … Sleeping pill reduces levels of Alzheimer’s proteins …...
Industry advocates have launched an online platform and forum open to all LTC staff who perform infection prevention and control duties.
Silos, shortages hamper transitions to long-term care, physician experts report
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 21, 2023
Most care transitions to LTC are effective. But fragmentation of care delivery, communication issues and worker shortages are the top barriers to success, say the authors of a new survey-based report from...
Advance care planning leads to comfort-focused cancer care, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 21, 2023
Cancer patients who engage in advance care planning are more likely to receive less aggressive, more comfort-based end-of-life care, researchers report.
Clinical briefs for Friday, April 21
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 21, 2023
CDC signs off on seniors’ receipt of 2nd omicron-adapted COVID booster … Cranberry juice cuts repeat UTIs in women by 25%, but no data on use in the elderly … Biden picks cancer surgeon to run NIH...
Fewer hip fracture patients receive opioids after stay in SNF than IRF: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 19, 2023
These patients are 41% less likely to receive an opioid prescription when discharged from a skilled nursing facility, investigators say. But opioid use is high overall in these settings, they report.
Cognitive evaluations must become routine in primary care, experts say
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 19, 2023
“Sweeping changes” are needed to improve the rate of cognitive impairment detection by primary care providers, according to new recommendations from a workgroup of national experts.
Dietary supplements used by 58 percent of U.S. adults, CDC report finds
Apr 18, 2023
Among adults, use increases along with income and education, while older adults are more likely to take multiple supplements.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, April 20
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 19, 2023
FDA advisers recommend approval of combo antibiotic for bacterial pneumonia … GSK’s antibiotic drug to treat uncomplicated UTIs meets key goals … Bad medical news prompts patients to choose brand...
FDA sanctions 2nd dose of updated booster for seniors, simplifies vax schedule
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 18, 2023
The FDA has simplified the COVID-19 vaccination schedule, deauthorizing the original mRNA shots and recommending that seniors receive a second dose of a bivalent, omicron-adapted shot.