An observational study explored adverse events after vaccination. Participants were invited to complete an electronic survey, capturing self-reported COVID-19 symptoms, PCR/antibody results, and Adverse Events (AEs) following first dose of BNT162b2/Pfizer vaccine. Understanding AEs associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has public health implications, especially with regard to vaccine hesitancy. Prior to COVID-19 infection but not ongoing, Long-COVID symptoms were associated with …
Pfizer has started a Phase 1 trial of a pill that could kill the COVID-19 virus, said a spokesman for Pfizer. The Pfizer pill could be given at the first sign of infection if clinical trials prove it safe and effective, said the company’s chief scientific officer Mikael Dolsten. “The experimental drug inhibits enzymes essential to the replication of the …
Many studies have been done on people who work shifts and the adverse health effects of shift work can cause including respiratory disease, diabetes, cancer, and non-COVID-19 infectious diseases. Although the mechanisms underlying these associations remain uncertain, one hypothesis is that irregular working hours could lead to circadian misalignment. In a study published in the journal Thorax, researchers set out …
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an update to the March 17, 2021 Requirements for Residential Care Facilities on May 21, 2021. The update provides additional guidance to nursing homes, hospices, and other healthcare facilities to facilitate communal dining and group activities.
“As vaccination has allowed nursing homes to open up a little, thousands of family members are seeing older loved ones with a disturbing clarity not possible during FaceTime calls and window visits. Even under the best of circumstances, the oldest seniors tend to decline over a year. But experts on dementia and aging say there is little doubt that isolation …
On April 27, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that a group of New York long-term care facilities can challenge a Department of Health and Human Services administrative rule in federal court if it believes it violates the law. According to a summary by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, “The providers are challenging a regulation codified …
Age and female gender are 2 major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD); two-thirds of older adults with AD are women. Even regarding the difference in longevity, studies suggest that women are still at a higher risk. Among various aging and dementia theories, altered N-MethylD-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-related neurotransmission is involved in dementia manifestations, including cognitive and behavioral domains. NMDAR overactivation …
On May 20th, 2021, the FDA issued a warning recommending not to use certain syringes and needles with needle safety devices manufactured by Guangdong Haiou Medical Apparatus Co., LTD. (HAIOU). The FDA is asking health care facility risk managers, procurement staff, and health care providers to stop use of these items while they continue their evaluation. At this time, HAIOU …
On May 18th, 2021, the FDA announced new actions they were taking in their continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please read their update below, and visit their website for more information: – On May 17, the FDA provided summary information about the status of CytoDyn, Inc.’s development program for the monoclonal antibody investigational drug, leronlimab, for the treatment of COVID-19. The …
Section 116 of the Consolidated Appropriations At, 2020 P.L., (116-260) requires CMS to conduct provider outreach and education for the Medicare-covered Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services (CPT code 99843) to increase awareness of this service and its eligibility requirements. In a recent “Change Request” ®, the requirements for provider outreach and education, including a direct mailing from the Medicare …
