COVID linked to high rates of lasting dementia, psychosis, large study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 19, 2022
The risk of neurological symptoms related to COVID-19 remains high for at least two years after infection, while psychiatric symptoms fade within about two months, a large new study has found.
Quicker palliative care referrals in severe COVID may improve survival: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 19, 2022
Severe breathlessness may serve as a telltale sign that a referral is urgently needed, investigators say.
Study: Some 56% of people don’t know they are contagious, omicron study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 19, 2022
This lack of awareness about asymptomatic infections likely had a role in rapid transmission during the omicron wave, investigators say.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Aug. 19
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 19, 2022
Senior living operator adds resident rehab options with recovery technology partnership … Diabetes drug metformin may greatly reduce severe COVID outcomes, clinical trial finds … Rosuvastatin linked…
CDC director calls for agency’s overhaul, citing pandemic performance
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will reorganize, with a new, action-oriented culture that better serves public health, Director Rochelle Walensky told her staff Wednesday.
Healthcare workers have 40% lower odds of COVID with respirators vs. surgical masks
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2022
Despite cumulative exposure, healthcare workers in 2020 and 2021 were 40% less likely to contract COVID-19 when they wore respirators rather than surgical masks, investigators say.
Alzheimer’s blood biomarkers not ready for primary care use, expert panel decides
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2022
An international group of clinicians and researchers have agreed that Alzheimer’s disease blood biomarkers are a significant breakthrough, but are not yet ready for general clinical and primary care…
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Aug. 18
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2022
Full vaccination ahead for LTC? New regulations, boosters complicate upcoming flu and COVID shots … 40 states now cover around-the-clock Medicaid HCBS as provided in assisted living … New COVID booster…
FDA approves over-the-counter hearing aids, no exams required
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2022
The Food and Drug Administration has established a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids that don’t require oversight by audiologists for purchase, according to a final rule announced Tuesday.
Use of common sleep meds nosedives, with 86 percent drop in oldest adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2022
The use of sleep medications among Americans dropped by 31% just prior to the pandemic, with the steepest decline among adults aged 80 and older, investigators report.
ACEP accredits all of San Diego hospital ERs as ‘senior-friendly’
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2022
San Diego county is the first to receive geriatric emergency department accreditation for all of its hospitals from the American College of Emergency Physicians, officials say.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Aug. 17
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 17, 2022
Makers of new class of schizophrenia drug expect to file for FDA approval … Precancerous skin lesions common among Medicare beneficiaries: study … Triple therapy halves mortality in patients with severe…
Use of common hospice drugs varies widely by state, highlighting limited guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2022
Antipsychotics prescribing rates, for example, ranged from 62% for hospice beneficiaries in Oregon to 15% in Oklahoma, investigators say. Five states topped the prescriptions list.
Nearly 40% of older adults look to unconventional medicine to ease symptoms: study
Aug 16, 2022
Older adults are flocking to integrative medicine, but few discuss their choices with a healthcare provider, a new study finds.
Variant-adapted COVID shot approved in U.K.; Novavax requests U.S. booster nod
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2022
Novavax wants its U.S. vaccine authorization to extend to a booster shot, and the U.K. has approved a two-component vaccine that directly tackles the omicron variant.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Aug. 16
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2022
Advance care planning reduces LTC hospitalizations: study … COVID antibody bebtelovimab now available commercially only … Wisconsin rescinds LTC COVID proclamations after CDC eases guidelines … Tinnitus,…
CDC’s refreshed COVID guidance zeros in on the vulnerable
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 15, 2022
While easing its public guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is emphasizing a continued focus on protecting at-risk individuals, including the elderly and ill, from infection and poor…
Nursing facilities, nursing assistants lead COVID incidence, state study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 15, 2022
Nursing facilities lead COVID-19 infections in healthcare, and nursing assistants top incidence in occupational subgroups, finds a detailed new data analysis.
Healthcare use rises in the 6 months after severe COVID recovery: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 14, 2022
Persistent post-COVID conditions, including alopecia (hair loss), bronchitis and pulmonary embolism, have driven excess healthcare usage, investigators say.
Clinical briefs for Monday, Aug. 15
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 15, 2022
‘Long COVID’ could mean insurance cost increases for employers … New hospice reporting data coming soon to Care Compare … FDA recommends serial COVID antigen home tests after negative results ……
