COVID-19 vaccine booster jab has 96 percent efficacy, Pfizer reveals
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 22, 2021
A third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine restores protection against the disease to levels achieved after the second dose, a large new trial shows.
Clinical briefs for Friday, Oct. 22
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 22, 2021
McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards gives Gold to long-term care, senior living communities for technology that supports residents’ mental health during pandemic … ‘Unconscionable’: Largest…
Increasing dairy intake can cut falls, fractures for seniors
Oct 21, 2021
Intervention to increase calcium and protein intake using dairy foods is beneficial for older adults living in long-term care facilities, investigators say.
FDA expands COVID booster shot access; says vaccines can be mixed or matched
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 21, 2021
The agency has amended the emergency use authorizations for Moderna’s and Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of a single booster dose in certain eligible groups.
Poorly controlled pain linked to disruptive behaviors in residents with dementia
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 21, 2021
Residents with uncontrolled pain are more likely to exhibit depression and behavioral symptoms including signs of psychosis, rejection of care and physical and verbal aggression, investigators say.
Nurses less tired, have quicker reaction times with fast, forwarded-rotating shifts
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 20, 2021
Nurses working backward-rotating shifts were significantly more sleepy and exhibited more cognitive slowing than those working forward rotations, researchers say.
Flu cases up 23 percent over 2020, Walgreens data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 21, 2021
Nevada tops the list and Southern communities overall are showing some of the highest and most widespread flu activity, according to an index based on antiviral prescriptions data.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Oct. 21
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 21, 2021
Former SNF operator out $300,000 after failing to provide sign language services … 5-minute cognitive assessment for mobile phones, iPads receives FDA medical device clearance … Aduhelm’s makers…
FDA moves to discard hearing aid prescription rule in favor of OTC devices
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 20, 2021
Adults with mild to moderate hearing loss would be able to obtain certain air-conduction hearing aids without a prescription under a new proposed rule. Whether this change would benefit long-term care…
Federal health officials to OK mix-and-match booster vaccinations: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 20, 2021
Clinicians will be free to administer any of the three U.S.-approved COVID-19 vaccines to eligible recipients once Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots are authorized, sources say.
Berries, mixed foods may raise Listeria risk for LTC facilities, outbreak analysis finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2021
Long-term care facilities may be susceptible to listeriosis outbreaks, investigators say. These infections tend to crop up as single but severe cases over a prolonged time period.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 20
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 20, 2021
Minnesota to train National Guard soldiers to help in long-term care facilities … Male sex, older age tied to failed treatment for community-acquired pneumonia … Women, individuals with more education…
FDA approves first nasal spray for chronic dry eyes
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2021
Sprayed twice daily into each nostril, Tyrvaya reduced eye dryness within four weeks in clinical trials. The medication will be available by prescription beginning in November, the developer says.
Low-dose aspirin does not reduce adverse heart, lung outcomes in stable COVID patients: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2021
Contrary to some clinical observations, aspirin and apixaban (Eliquis) do not reduce the rate of major adverse cardiovascular or pulmonary outcomes in stable outpatients with symptomatic COVID-19, researchers…
Nearly all staff are vaccinated in majority of Connecticut’s long-term care facilities
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2021
One state is experiencing success with its COVID-19 vaccination mandate: Fully three quarters of LTC facilities in Connecticut have a 95% staff vaccination rate, its Department of Public Health announced…
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 19
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2021
With consent required, Illinois is a ‘national model’ for chemical restraint laws in nursing homes, senator says … Biosimilar substitute for rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira gets thumbs-up from FDA…
Nursing home COVID cases, deaths trending downward, CDC’s latest data show
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 18, 2021
Rates have steadily fallen since an uptick in September, according to data submitted by facilities to the agency’s National Healthcare Safety Network.
Heparin emerging as a lifesaver for moderately ill COVID patients
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 18, 2021
High doses of the anticoagulant reduce the risk of developing the dangerous blood clots that are a hallmark of COVID-19, two new studies confirm.
FDA panel recommends second J&J coronavirus vaccine dose for adult recipients
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 18, 2021
Independent experts have unanimously agreed that a full second dose of the drugmaker’s COVID-19 vaccine be offered to adults aged 18 years and older at least two months after receipt of the first…
Clinical briefs for Monday, Oct. 18
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 18, 2021
Operators urged to provide more emotional support for nursing assistants after pandemic’s costly toll … Telehealth continues to substitute for in-person care for seniors, but rural use lags … Sleep…
