Electronic Health Record information management tops the list of this year's key patient safety issues across all healthcare sectors, but assisted living and skilled nursing facilities are directly involved in three other items on the list.
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Pamela Tabar |
March 14, 2017
This winter's flu season may have peaked, but it's not over yet—especially in the South, says the CDC.
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Pamela Tabar |
March 7, 2017
The test can now be used at physician offices, clinics and other point-of-care settings to diagnose one of the most common causes of pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
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Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is the bane of nursing homes, since it tends to return over and over again. British researchers have found a drug that could stop the cycle in its tracks.
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Nicole Stempak |
February 1, 2017
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is pairing geriatricians and geriatrics-trained clinicians with orthopedic surgeons to improve outcomes for seniors with hip fractures.
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Pamela Tabar |
January 24, 2017
As antibiotic resistance grows, scientists are learning how to attack killer bacteria at the genetic level.
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Nicole Stempak |
January 12, 2017
Delirium in long-term care settings is subtle, deadly and more prevalent than caregivers think, according to new findings.
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Pamela Tabar |
December 28, 2016
the CDC has pinpointed the pathogen responsible for sickening 21 people at a community meal—including three assisted living residents who died.
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Pamela Tabar |
December 12, 2016
The new CMS rule for long-term care facilities includes plenty of medication-related changes, including antibiotic stewardship and new documentation requirements for medication reviews.
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Pamela Tabar |
December 6, 2016
Seniors are in the spotlight this week as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launches its 2016-2017 National Influenza Vaccination Week.
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the leading infection in long-term care and can manifest as serious symptoms. Learn how to reduce prevalence and bolster preventive programs.
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Long-term care facilities and hospitals are becoming more aware of the need for diligent infection control in resident populations--including better training.
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Pamela Tabar |
November 15, 2016
The CDC has issued warnings to hospitals and laboratories to be on the lookout for an emerging threat: a fungal infection called Candida auris.
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Nicole Stempak |
November 2, 2016
Clorox Healthcare’s Fuzion Cleaner Disinfectant kills C. difficile and 35 other pathogens in under two minutes and is safe to use every day on most surfaces.
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Pamela Tabar |
October 25, 2016
Wounds that measure themselves? New technology makes it almost that simple. Check out the hot wound care advancements from this year’s American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living conference.
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Pamela Tabar |
October 11, 2016
Can taking antibiotics affect a roommate's risk for C. diff? A new JAMA study says yes.
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Nicole Stempak |
October 5, 2016
The company is voluntarily recalling all unexpired lots of I.V. flush syringes because of a potential link to B. cepacia bloodstream infections.
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Nicole Stempak |
October 4, 2016
A record number of physicians and healthcare workers, including nonmedical staff, were vaccinated against the flu. That’s good news for seniors, who are especially vulnerable, but who also saw the biggest age bracket decline in vaccination.
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Nicole Stempak |
September 6, 2016
A recent Vital Signs report on sepsis and found that for nearly 80 percent of patients, the infection begins outside of the hospital, leading the government agency to ramp up preventive efforts and increase sepsis awareness.
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Pamela Tabar |
September 2, 2016
The final rule issued today forces companies to remove 19 different ingredients from over-the-counter products because they haven’t proven to be effective in preventing the spread of illness and could do more harm than good.
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Pamela Tabar |
August 30, 2016
The Zika virus is not expected to spread rampantly throughout the United States, but senior living communities in southern states or high-risk areas like Miami can take proactive precautions to reduce risk to residents, staff and visiting families.
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Pamela Tabar |
August 26, 2016
Despite sunshine and warm temperatures, influenza season is right around the corner. Are your staffers trained in the policies and protocols concerning vaccinations?
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Pamela Tabar |
August 2, 2016
More standardization and consistency in protocols would help nursing homes reduce urinary tract infections, notes a new study cross-examining policies and infection data at nearly 1,000 SNFs.
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Nicole Stempak |
July 6, 2016
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating manufacturer claims and three active ingredients to make sure hand sanitizers reduces bacteria on hands without any unwanted residue—or consequences.
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Nicole Stempak |
June 29, 2016
The idea of a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) administered by nasal spray may be appealing, but it’s not effective and shouldn’t be used next flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
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Nicole Stempak |
June 16, 2016
Cases of Legionnaire’s disease have been reported at three long-term care facilities since May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the number reported cases has quadrupled since 2000.
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Nicole Stempak |
May 24, 2016
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists are working to develop a pathogen-specific antibiotic to be less disruptive to the gut microbiome than broad-spectrum antibiotics.
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Pamela Tabar |
May 17, 2016
Experts from the CDC helped to create the new program, which covers everything from hand hygiene to clinical microbiology.
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