Nondrug interventions effective for LTC residents in pain, review finds
By
Alicia Lasek
May 19, 2022
Certain nondrug therapies rank nearly as high as painkillers for effectively addressing chronic pain in nursing home residents, according to a new study.
Patients with bone loss should exercise more, not less, expert panel states
By
Alicia Lasek
May 20, 2022
Clinicians should avoid discouraging exercise — even in the frail elderly with osteoporosis, according to new guidance for maximizing bone health and preventing fractures.
Falls prevention efforts urged for patients with cardiovascular disease
By
Alicia Lasek
May 20, 2022
Cardiovascular disease is tied to an increased risk of falls, and clinicians should help patients take preventive action, according to an expert consensus from the American Heart Association.
Clinical briefs for Friday, May 20
By
Alicia Lasek
May 20, 2022
Vaccination after infection may reduce likelihood of long COVID symptoms … 11% of COVID patients were readmitted or died after hospital discharge, study finds … Oral anticoagulant use has increased…
Time-restricted eating reduces CVD risk for older breast cancer survivors
May 19, 2022
Cardiovascular disease risk for breast cancer survivors fell by 15% following an eight-week time-restricted eating intervention.
Seniors’ long-COVID symptoms often overlooked, confused with aging
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 19, 2022
Long COVID may hit seniors with symptoms that mimic the effects of aging — leading to oversight or misdiagnosis.
Paxlovid keeping hospitalizations, deaths low as COVID-19 infections rise, White House official says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 19, 2022
Clinicians are writing 20,000 prescriptions for Paxlovid each day, helping to keep severe outcomes in check, the COVID-19 Response Coordinator said Wednesday.
Study pinpoints prescribing practices that may raise disability risk for LTC residents
By
Alicia Lasek
May 19, 2022
Polypharmacy and the use of drugs with sedative or anticholinergic properties were tied to increased odds of functional disability and the need for LTC services.
Candida auris outbreaks reported across Nevada skilled nursing and acute-care facilities
By
Alicia Lasek
May 19, 2022
Nevada health officials have been investigating outbreaks of Candida auris since mid-April in “several” long-term care facilities, a local news outlet reports.
Clinical briefs for Thursday, May 19
By
Alicia Lasek
May 19, 2022
U.S. should transition to regular COVID booster schedule, quality advocate says … CMS unveils “user friendly” Medicare website … Awake- prone position doesn’t cut need for intubation in COVID-19,…
Barriers prevent LTC residents from reaping full benefits of telemedicine: study
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 18, 2022
New technology learning curves and a preference for in-person care create barriers to telemedicine for independent living residents, a Stanford University study finds.
MRSA and VRE persist in resident rooms, nursing home study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
May 18, 2022
Two common types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can linger in resident rooms — even during changes of occupancy, a new facility study finds.
Tooth survival after root canal varies widely across U.S. regions
By
Alicia Lasek
May 18, 2022
Tooth longevity ranges from about nine to 20 years after a root canal, depending in part on where one lives, a new study has found.
Uneven broadband access fostering inequality, panelists say
By
Liza Berger
May 17, 2022
The U.S. is creating two Americas with its lack of cohesive policy on universal broadband access, said panelists Monday during the Department of Health and Human Services’ Telehealth Conference.
Clinical briefs for Wednesday, May 18
By
Alicia Lasek
May 18, 2022
Stroke hospitalizations rising in younger adults while deaths in this group fall … Feds will extend public health emergency … FDA rejects antidepressant seen as cheap COVID treatment … One in four…
LTC staff to receive free behavioral health training in new federal program
By
Alicia Lasek
May 17, 2022
The new $15 million program will focus on workforce skills in an effort to strengthen behavioral healthcare delivery in long-term care facilities, HHS announced Monday.
Seniors’ early deaths jumped 17% from 2019 to 2020, new report finds
By
Diane Eastabrook
May 17, 2022
Early deaths among seniors increased 17% between 2019 and 2020, according to America’s Health Rankings Senior Report issued Monday by United Health Foundation.
54 percent increase in low-care nursing home residents presents opportunity for assisted living
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 17, 2022
The percentage of nursing home residents who require no physical assistance in bed mobility and activities of daily living is increasing, according to a new report.
Federal vaccine mandate pushed coverage up 40%, without worker exodus: study
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 17, 2022
Nursing home workers’ COVID-19 vaccination rates increased by 25 percentage points in the months after the federal government mandated that they receive the shots, a KFF analysis finds.
FDA approves diabetes drug with evidence of superior blood sugar control
By
Alicia Lasek
May 17, 2022
Mounjaro was more effective than other type 2 diabetes drugs at helping clinical trial participants control blood sugar and lose weight, the FDA reports.
