Flu season may be ‘devastating,’ officials warn
“The real risk is that we’re going to have two circulating respiratory pathogens at the same time,” says CDC director Robert Redfield, M.D.
Infection Prevention
Red-vested ‘Infection Control Patrol’ offers staff support and supervision
A well-known operator has created an interdisciplinary group of red-vested volunteers to round on care areas, providing mentoring and feedback. COVID-19 infections have dropped since, it says.
Campaign urges Congress to end ‘national nightmare’ of COVID-19 and protect older adults, caregivers
The Act for Older Adults campaign calls for a comprehensive relief package, including ‘hero’ pay and paid sick leave for care providers, and a $100 billion emergency fund.
CDC revises COVID-19 testing guidelines for nursing homes
The agency has updated and consolidated the guidelines, including a recommendation that individuals not be tested more than once in 24 hours.
Most seniors support virus mitigation efforts, national survey finds
Seniors reported feeling safer with COVID-19 public health measures in place. They’re also more likely to adhere to guidelines meant to reduce transmission, such as avoiding large gatherings.
Positive COVID-19 retest doesn’t signal ongoing infection, study finds
Patients recovering from COVID-19 are unlikely to be infectious, even if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 and are symptomatic, according to a new study.
Clinical Daily Briefs for Thursday, May 28
One-time COVID-19 testing for assisted living would cost $232 million, AHCA / NCAL estimates … Tau inhibitor promising in rapidly progressing dementia type … CMS webinar: Establishing a nursing facility infection prevention program … Researchers studying similarities between COVID-19 and rheumatoid disease
Testing beats symptom screening to identify COVID-19 infections in senior living: study
Aggressive infection control using universal testing in a Seattle senior living community appeared to halt transmission and prevent an outbreak.
Infection control problems ‘persisted’ at nursing homes prior to pandemic: GAO
Infection control deficiencies were widespread throughout nursing homes even before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office.
Read my lips: virus may spread through speech
Speaking in a confined environment can cause airborne virus transmission, likely helping to spread the coronavirus, according to new research.
