CDC: More than 10,000 contract COVID after vaccination
By
Alicia Lasek
May 26, 2021
New data offer a glimpse into how breakthrough infections may affect the health of U.S. adults who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Cognitive decline after infection: These factors put residents at high risk
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 26, 2021
Sustained cognitive decline after hospitalization for infection was found to be particularly high among nursing home residents who had experienced sepsis, those aged 85 years or older, and those with Alzheimer’s...
Tracing cases: How one bar gathering led to a nursing home resident’s COVID hospitalization
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 07, 2021
A new report on contact tracing in rural Illinois illustrates how a single community gathering can lead directly to infections in a skilled nursing facility, and the challenges associated with reopening...
Shorten antibiotic course for these common infections: American College of Physicians
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 07, 2021
Several common bacterial infections can be treated effectively with shorter courses of antibiotics than traditionally prescribed, according to new guidance from the ACP.
National long-stay resident study pinpoints COVID risk factors
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 01, 2021
The 15,000-facility study is the first of its kind, researchers say. Infections were found to be associated with geographic area and specific facility, whereas resident characteristics played a large role...
Physicians warn of delayed skin reactions to COVID vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 08, 2021
Clinicians should be aware of injection-site reactions that may occur about a week after receiving Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine and which may be confused with skin infection, say physicians from Massachusetts...
Coronavirus reinfections in Kentucky nursing home worse second time around, officials say
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 26, 2021
Five residents of a skilled nursing facility tested positive twice for SARS-CoV-2 in separate outbreaks three months apart, before vaccines were available. The disease course was more severe in the second...
Change in resident’s mental status doesn’t always equal infection, new guidance cautions
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 10, 2020
The authors provide a framework for infection workups when residents present with a non-specific sign or symptom. The revised guidance also reviews the latest evidence on how best to evaluate non-localized...
Feds uncover coronavirus’s heavy toll on assisted living
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 20, 2020
As of Oct. 15, 22% of assisted living communities in 39 states reported cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff members. Rates ranged widely, from 1.3% of communities in Iowa to 93% of Connecticut...
Don’t shelve rapid tests as COVID cases climb, advocates implore nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 03, 2020
Industry advocates say it’s time for facility operators who have not made full use of rapid antigen tests to start doing so — before nursing home deaths begin to spike again. CMS must “take to...