Clinical

Warmer temperatures—outside and in

Bring a sweater. It's difficult to maintain an air temperature that satisfies all residents in a congregate living setting. Some residents may be too warm and others may be too cold when the air conditioning kicks on. Read More »

Groups commit to responsible antibiotic use

More than 150 food companies, retailers, and human and animal health stakeholders have committed to the responsible use of antibiotics in conjunction with the June 2 White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship. Read More »

Memories of Bill

In long-term care, residents can observe and interact with each other in a variety of ways. When a resident passes, his LTC friends take time to remember. Read More »

How to prevent MRSA transmission between nursing home residents, workers

New research reveals the most important times that nursing home workers should wear gloves and gowns to prevent the transmission of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from one resident to another. Read More »

Partnerships@Work: Airing out infection control

In our latest Partnerships@Work installment, a Connecticut long-term care community teams up with an infection control company to reduce the site’s “closed days” and curb the spread of airborne infection risks. Read More »

CDC campaign promotes safe injection practices

​A federation representing providers of housing, services and care for seniors has joined a nationwide effort to stop the reuse of needles, syringes and single-dose medication vials in healthcare settings. Read More »

WHO addresses antimicrobial resistance

Delegates at the 68th World Health Assembly endorsed a global action plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, which they termed the most urgent drug resistance trend. The plan has five objectives. Read More »

Antibiotic arsenal needs new drugs, more education

Antibiotic resistance is still outpacing researchers’ ability to develop new types of antibiotics, and too many physicians still overprescribe, according to a policy brief released this week by the Health Affairs journal. Read More »

FDA guidance could undermine safety, compliance efforts, pharmacy group maintains

Repackaging and distribution guidance proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inadvertently would undermine patient/resident safety in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and also would threaten regulatory compliance, the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition said in a letter to the agency. Read More »

CVS expands pharmacy reach with $12.7 billion Omnicare deal

Omnicare acquisition expands CVS Health Corporation’s reach into providing pharmacy services to assisted living and long-term care facilities. Read More »

A case of scabies

Caregiving and assistance with activities of daily living in institutional settings require close body contact. If unknown rashes appear, implement infection control procedures. Read More »

Sudden weight loss may be a precursor to frailty

Frailty is not an inevitable consequence of aging. For some older Americans, however, weight loss can contribute to dependence on mobility devices and more assistance with ADLs. Read More »

Using the Readmission RRT (rapid response tool)

A new plan focuses on the reduction of avoidable transfers of residents from post-acute care facilities to hospitals and emergency department admissions. Read More »

Pharmacy group pleased with revised 21st Century Cures language

The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition says it is pleased with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s revised language in draft 21st Century Cures legislation it is considering related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under Medicare Parts C and D. Read More »

Maryland increases role of nurse practitioners

Add Maryland to the growing list of state that are expanding the practice rights for nurse practitioners. Read More »

Hurricane Sandy: A lesson in survival

Extraordinary events call for extraordinary measures, especially in caring for special populations. Evacuation is more than simply staying “high and dry.” Read More »

Bites and stings can be serious

Flying and crawling critters are not just seasonal, and to them, humans are a very tempting buffet. Sometimes the consequences of being a feeding zone require professional care. Read More »

Enjoy warm temperatures with an eye toward safety

Be “heatbusters” for your residents, visitors and staff by taking a few precautions and keeping a watchful eye for signs of heat-related health effects. Read More »

Online health records

The jury is out on the usefulness of online patient history sites, at least for Long-Term Living’s resident blogger. For some, keeping good notes after a doctor visit is more accurate and accessible. Read More »

AHCA begins next phase of quality campaign

The American Health Care Association is expanding quality improvement efforts related to its skilled nursing facility members, which it began three years ago, the organization announced May 7. Read More »

ALFA recognizes five with Hero Awards

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) recognized five assisted living community staff members who help improve the lives of residents in big and little ways. The awards were just some of the ones given during ALFA’s annual meeting. Read More »

Study: Medicare beneficiaries’ melanoma excisions often delayed

Potential for increased stress, illness and death is increased when surgery for melanoma, a leading cause of skin cancer diagnosis, is delayed. Read More »

Experts see two futures for assisted living

Assisted living may be divided into two types of providers in the future, according to two speakers at the annual meeting of the Assisted Living Federation of America. Read More »

ALFA launches Senior Living 2025 initiative

The Assisted Living Federation of America has launched a new initiative, Senior Living 2025: A Roadmap, to establish a united voice around four major issues facing the industry. Read More »

End-of-life care and resident choice

It’s not difficult to meld resident choices into wellness initiatives. But how does our long-term care system handle resident choice when it comes to chronic-level and end-of life care? Not so well, national experts say. Read More »

FDA rule requests safety, effectiveness data on OTC topical antiseptics

Gels, liquids or wipes—hand hygiene is encouraged everywhere. Healthcare professionals know how vital hand sanitation is in preventing the spread of infection. Read More »

Report finds NY nursing home inspectors underreport bedsores

Nearly one in 10 New York nursing home residents have bedsores. An advocacy group has found investigators lax in issuing citations. Read More »

Research: Temperature-sensing sock for people with diabetes

For people with diabetes a new fabric functions as a mood ring to provide a warning system for users. Still in development, this innovation may soon save the feet of diabetics. Read More »

National plan attacks antibiotic-resistant infections

Healthcare providers and federal health agencies need to coordinate their strategic efforts to curb the spread of drug-resistant germs, notes a White House action plan. Read More »

Report examines state survey agency performance

A new report from the Long Term Care Community Coalition compares enforcement of nursing home standards in several categories across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More »