Early vaccination sped up decline in COVID infections, study in Genesis facilities finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 20, 2021
Nursing homes that administered shots early in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout experienced a lower rate of new infections compared to later-vaccinating sites. The results underscore the efficacy of the drugs...
WHO: Nearly all surveyed healthcare facilities lack plans for improving environmental hygiene
May 26, 2022
A new global study finds “widespread challenges” in hygiene practices among healthcare facilities across income levels and geographic locations.
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...
Coronavirus reinfections in Kentucky nursing home worse second time around, officials say
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 26, 2021
Five residents of a skilled nursing facility tested positive twice for SARS-CoV-2 in separate outbreaks three months apart, before vaccines were available. The disease course was more severe in the second...
Geriatric hospital study reveals workers’ role in COVID outbreaks
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jul 20, 2022
A new study highlights how gaps in infection control practices may help spread COVID-19 between healthcare workers and patients.
COVID vaccines lost some effectiveness in delta surge, ongoing CDC study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 25, 2021
The three federally sanctioned COVID vaccines have lost a “moderate” amount of effectiveness against SARS-CoV-19 ever since the delta gene variant became the predominant U.S. strain, the agency reports.
Stay on guard: Vaccinated residents remain susceptible to outbreaks, French nursing home studies reveal
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 13, 2021
Vaccinations and infection control measures may not entirely protect nursing homes from COVID-19 outbreaks — especially when staff members are unvaccinated, according to two new studies from France.
COVID cases rise in 15 states; variant fuels outbreak in Kentucky nursing home
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2021
The average U.S. case rate is falling, but almost a third of states have seen an increase, and one Kentucky facility’s outbreak shows how new COVID-19 variants and vaccination play a role in continued...
Large VA study reveals ease of COVID-19 transmission among unvaccinated healthcare staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
Investigators found nearly 20 times the rate of COVID-19 infection in unvaccinated healthcare staff, plus signs that transmission clusters were linked to those workers.
Unvaccinated residents had triple rate of COVID in Kentucky nursing home’s March outbreak: CDC
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 22, 2021
Vaccinated nursing home residents and staff members appeared to have a distinct advantage during a recent COVID-19 outbreak, agency investigators found.