Neurological Symptoms – COVID-19

Angie SzumlinskiHealth, News

A new database will collect information from clinicians about COVID-19 related neurological symptoms, complications, and outcomes as well as COVID-19 effects on pre-existing neurological conditions. The COVID-19 Neuro Databank/Biobank (NeuroCOVID), which was created and will be maintained by NYU Langone Health in New York City, will be a resource of clinical information as well as biospecimens from people of all …

Elderly woman in hospital bed

Frailty and Mortality COVID-19

Angie SzumlinskiNews

In a recent study, frailty is associated with all-cause mortality risk in older inpatients with COVID-19. Frailty is defined as the propensity to deteriorate in the face of a stressor. It reflects homeostatic reserve and physiological resilience or “biological age.” It is increasingly used to stratify clinical populations to reflect differing prognosis and clinical needs, in particular the need for …

Mask Times Two: The Question

Angie SzumlinskiNews

They say two heads are better than one; can the same be said for facemasks? The answer is yes, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. A study published in the peer-reviewed journal “Matter” in July found that wearing two masks could increase protection from virus particles by 50% up to 75%. It not only added …

Look to 2021 – Skilled Nursing News

Angie SzumlinskiFeatured, News

Each January, SNN tries to predict the top trends that will sweep the industry for the coming 12 months. COVID-19 completely wiped out the predictions they made for 2020, a year that began with the looming specter of clawbacks related to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), further Medicaid strain, and the potential over-extension of organizations that had sought to diversify …

eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, Featured, News

Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) is the automated generation and transmission of case reports from the electronic health record (EHR) to public health agencies for review and action. eCR makes disease reporting from healthcare to public health faster and easier. It moves data securely and seamlessly from the HER at the point of care, to data systems at state, territorial, and …

“Fat and Fit” in Doubt – Darn!

Angie SzumlinskiNews

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached pandemic proportions and people with these conditions present with an increased cardiometabolic risk. Some evidence suggests, however, that a high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) might mitigate the detrimental effects of excess body weight on cardiometabolic health, termed the “fat but fit” paradox. In a recent study “fat but fit” identified that although physical …

Hats off to Vaccine Manufacturers

Angie SzumlinskiNews

Moderna Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA) announced results from in vitro neutralization studies of sera from individuals vaccinated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine showing activity against emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccination with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine produced neutralizing titers against all key emerging variants tested, including B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, first identified in the U.K. and Republic of South Africa. The two-dose regimen …

Counterfeit Respirator Notification

Angie SzumlinskiHealth, News

On February 11, 2021, 3M issued a letter to their customers warning about fraud related to three of their surgical respirator models. The company said they have been received reports of both fake/counterfeit products being sold and ‘offers’ that are never delivered. By working with law enforcement, they have been able to identify and seize millions of such products, but …

New President – New Plan

Angie SzumlinskiAnnouncements, News

President Joseph R. Biden has unveiled a plan to jump-start the nation’s faltering COVID-19 vaccine effort that will include establishing mass vaccination sites and mobile vaccine clinics around the nation. The plan calls for a $20 billion investment in a national vaccination program. According to the CDC, 31 million COVID-19 doses have been distributed and 12.2 million have been administered …

Vaccines – The Continuing Saga!

Angie SzumlinskiHealth, News

Federal health officials in recent days have urged broadening vaccine eligibility to tens of millions of Americans to speed the national inoculation program rollout. Meanwhile, seniors at some long-term care facilities, who account for about 1% of the U.S. population but 40% of COVID-19 deaths and were supposed to be at the front of the line, continue to wait. State …