Individuals should continue to receive asthma care and take asthma medications during the pandemic
One of two pneumonia drugs offers longer-term protection for COPD patients, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 06, 2021
The two available pneumonia vaccines recommended for older adults are equally good at safeguarding the health of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But Prevnar13 appears to offer longer-term...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, June 15
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 15, 2021
CMS issues reprieve for 2,500 nursing homes yet to report COVID vaccination rates … Former CMS administrator says nursing homes will remain key test sites for COVID therapies, other treatments …...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, May 25
By
Alicia Lasek
May 25, 2021
State ALA argues for continuing the broadened scope of nursing practices after pandemic … Pulmonary rehab not easily accessible for many older adults with COPD … ‘Complete revision’ of body mass...
40 percent of US older adults with COPD have poor access to pulmonary rehabilitation
By
Donna Shryer
May 20, 2021
Approximately 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have limited access to pulmonary rehabilitation services due to their distance from rehab centers. That’s according...
Refocus on capturing PDPM drivers to improve care, quality and reimbursement
By
Jim Shearon
Sheryl Rosenfield
Apr 13, 2021
With the prioritization of COVID-19 vaccinations in nursing facilities since late December, facilities nationwide have seen a significant decline in both new cases and deaths among resident populations....
NIH: Inhaled moisturizing drug boosts lung function in severe COPD
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 02, 2021
The biologic drug hyaluronan improved lung function in patients hospitalized for severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a new study finds.
Federal COPD program decreases 30-day hospital readmission but may increase mortality
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 13, 2020
A federal program meant to reduce 30-day readmissions among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease did just that — but mortality rates have increased since the intervention was implemented.
Respiratory distress the cause of most post-COVID hospital readmissions
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 25, 2020
Respiratory distress is often the culprit when a patient with COVID-19 returns to the hospital within two weeks of discharge, a study finds. These patients also have relatively high rates of COPD and hypertension.
Thunderstorms linked to spike in respiratory emergencies for Medicare beneficiaries
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 12, 2020
Emergency respiratory care visits increase among older Medicare patients in the days surrounding a thunderstorm, according to a new study from Harvard Medical School.