Weeks after issuing social distancing orders to suppress severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and reduce growth in cases of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19), all U.S. states and the District of Columbia partially or fully relaxed these measures. In a study published in the Oxford Academic – Clinical Infectious Diseases on October 3, 2020, researchers identified an …
A recent study by Annie Wong-Beringer, PharmD, FCCP and colleagues found that the shorter the time from the onset of COVID symptoms to hospitalization, the more serious the disease becomes and a higher mortality rate! The study included 252 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 between March 14 and May 14. Patients presenting within three days after symptoms onset tended to …
In the United States, an estimated 21 million patients seek medical treatment for respiratory infections each year. Severe respiratory infections such as croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia are caused by bacterial and viral agents spread through respiratory droplets. Most viral pneumonias in the United States are caused by influenza and hospital associated infectious agents through respiratory droplets. In order to determine …
Historically, public health messaging for pneumococcal disease prevention has centered around vaccination. While this remains paramount, a recent study conducted in China and other countries in East Asia highlights the key role of behavior and public health measures in reducing the transmission of S. pneumoniae. Older adults and high-risk individuals should consider adopting more meticulous infection control practices such as …
In a recent article published in Skilled Nursing News, they discussed how the COVID-19 isolation units were used to combat the virus in skilled nursing facilities and how they may now be helpful in preventing the spread of influenza. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took steps in March to make it easier to transfer residents within facilities …
As you have likely heard, an event at the White House Rose Garden is suspected of infecting multiple people with COVID-19. Many experts agree that it was likely the cause of the spread and are referring to it as a “super spreader. Putting politics aside, let’s take a look at some of the facts. The White House has reportedly relied …
Body temperature is a vital sign that is regularly measured to assess the status of a patients’ health, facilitate diagnosis, and screen for the COVID-19 virus. Healthcare professionals must use the most accurate and precise measurement devices available to reproduce stable results reflecting core body temperature. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that public health measures include body temperature screening …
COVID-19 disproportionately affects older adults, partly due to increased prevalence of frailty. Frail adults in residential settings may be at particular risk of transmission of respiratory illness. Understanding the differences in COVID-19 presentation resulting from frailty is imperative to prompt rapid diagnosis, isolation and contact-tracing and to guide assessment and treatment. Early identification of frailty facilitates a differential, targeted clinical …
Researchers continue to investigate other transmission routes for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the eyes. Although it is much less common than the nose or mouth, eyes may be exposed to the transmission of the virus by touching the contaminated hand or by rubbing the eyes. According to a review of 172 studies analyzing data collected from 16 countries, if healthcare …
Recent Avalere analysis shows that as inpatient hospital volume fell in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, discharges to SNF and home health experienced a similar decline. “In the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., we saw a substantial decrease in hospital discharges to both skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies” said Heather Flynn, Consultant at Avalere. …
