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...
Older adults stalled by stereotypes — even at doctor’s office, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 22, 2021
Low expectations can have a powerful effect on how well older adults perform on cognitive and motor skills tests, according to a Georgia State University gerontologist.
Clinical briefs for Monday, Feb. 22
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 22, 2021
Pfizer vaccine’s deep-freeze storage and second shot may be unnecessary … For-profit nursing homes are ‘worst performers’ in COVID infection control analysis … Researchers pinpoint too-low diastolic...
Women have a lower healthy blood pressure range than men, cardiologists find
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 19, 2021
The upper limit of systolic blood pressure is 110 mm Hg in women compared to 120 mm Hg in men, physician-researchers say. It’s a distinction not reflected in clinical guidelines.
U.S., Canada ‘not that different’ in LTC staff response to pandemic work conditions: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 19, 2021
“We talk about how great Canada’s healthcare system is vis-à-vis that of the United States … but we are not that different when it comes to long-term care,” the researchers say.