Enterovirus D68 Update: CDC Recommends Additional Precautions

As Enterovirus D68, or EV-D68, continues to spread across the United States, the CDC has released an official health advisory that provides guidelines for preventing the spread of the respiratory illness in healthcare settings.

Although early cases of EV-D68 were confined to children and young adults, nine cases of the illness have now been confirmed at a nursing home in Kentucky. The strain is being described as rare and easily spread. It produces symptoms similar to a severe cold and can also cause difficulty breathing.

Because the routes of transmission for EV-D68 are not fully understood, the CDC is now recommending that infection control guidelines in affected facilities include droplet precautions in addition to standard and contact precautions.

Droplet precautions include:

• Placing the ill person in a private room with a closed door if possible 
• Donning a facemask before entering the resident’s room and keeping it on during close contact with the resident 
• Wearing gloves, a gown and either goggles or a face shield if substantial spraying of respiratory fluids is anticipated
• Performing hand hygiene before and after touching the resident and after contact with respiratory secretions 
• Instructing the resident to wear a facemask when leaving their room or coming into contact with other people
• Following respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette guidelines 

To learn more, click here.

Professional Medical stocks a full range of infection control products, including personal protective equipment needed to adhere to droplet precautions. To learn more about our respirators, masks, gloves, gowns and more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

CDC Announces Core Actions for Addressing Drug-Resistant Bacteria

The CDC has announced four core actions designed to combat antibiotic resistance. The actions are described in detail in the agency's new report Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013.

According to the report, more than two million people yearly in the U.S. get infections that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 die from them. Additionally, C. difficile, a serious diarrheal infection usually associated with antibiotic use, causes at least 250,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths yearly.

The following are the four core actions that the CDC is undertaking to combat these figures:

1. Preventing Infections, Preventing the Spread of Resistance. Preventing infections from the get-go reduces the amount of antibiotics that have to be used and reduces the likelihood that resistance will develop during their use. 
2. Tracking. The CDC collects information on antibiotic-resistant infections, causes of infections and whether specific risk factors caused some people to develop a resistant infection. 
3. Improving Antibiotic Use/Stewardship. This involves changing the way antibiotics are used, such as looking at prescription frequency and prescribing them only when needed. 
4. Development of Drugs and Diagnostic Tests. New drugs will need to be developed because antibiotic resistance is part of a natural process as bacteria evolve. New tests will also be needed to track the development of resistance. 

To learn more, click here. 

Study: Individuals in Their 60s Happy with Health, Lifestyles

According to a TODAY show survey, 60 might be the new 30. The surveyors spoke to 1,500 people between the ages of 45 and 69 and found that people in their 60s were largely positive about their health and their lives in general.

Among study participants in their 60s:

• 72 percent said they feel younger than their age
• 79 percent said their journey so far is about what they expected or better than what they expected 
• 14 percent rate their health as excellent, 61 percent said it was good, 22 percent rated it as fair and only 4 percent said it was poor
• High blood pressure, arthritis and cholesterol were named as the top health concerns
• More than 40 percent began exercising in their 60s to keep looking and feeling good 
• Only 36 percent reported spending time worrying about mental and physical decline 
• Nearly 70 percent report having greater self-confidence than they did when younger 

For additional details and to learn more, click here. 

Study: Nearly Half of MDRO Infections Originate in Hospitals

A new study has found that 41 percent of all multi-drug resistant infections in nursing homes originate when residents are patients in acute care hospitals.

While nursing homes are still the most common site for residents to develop these infections, the fact that hospitals are close behind indicates that better coordination between the two care settings is needed, especially since transfers are so common.

The study also found that the Northeast has the highest MDRO prevalence of all regions, and the South has the lowest. In general, more densely populated urban areas have a high prevalence rate than rural areas.

To learn more, click here.

Cheers! Beer Ingredient Can Improve Cognitive Function

If you're young and enjoy beer, a new study might have you raising a glass.

Researchers at Oregon State University found that xanthohumol, a flavonoid found in hops and beer, increases critical thinking skills, speeds up metabolism and increases cognitive thinking skills in young mice. The bad news? It didn't have the same effect in older mice.

The other bad news is that for humans to see the same level of positive effects that the mice enjoyed, it would be necessary to drink 2,000 liters of beer a day.

To learn more, click here.

Prevent Falls This Fall

Fall is officially here! Now is a great time to review the fall prevention products and strategies being used in your facility and update them as needed. Professional Medical’s knowledgeable territory managers are ready to meet with you and discuss our comprehensive Fall & Safety Management product category.

We offer:

Alarms and Pads

ProMed stocks multiple alarm models to meet your specific needs, including everything from string to infrared alarms. The alarms can be paired with our chair, bed and floor alarm pads, which are available in multiple sizes.

Fall Mats

Fall mats can be placed at the resident bedside to help mitigate the impact of a fall. ProMed offers models with special features such as beveled edges to reduce the likelihood of tripping and glow-in-the-dark edges to make the mats visible at nighttime.

Fall Prevention Accessories

ProMed stocks the products you need for your fall prevention program, including slipper socks with treads, gait belts, hip protectors and more.

To learn more about any of these products, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Enterovirus D68 Confirmed in KY Nursing Home

Enterovirus D68, which has been sickening children across the nation and leading to a large number of hospitalizations, has now been found in a nursing home.

Nine residents at Heritage Hall in Kentucky have been confirmed to have the virus. More than 30 residents had shown symptoms and five of the residents were sent to the hospital.

Enterovirus D68 is extremely contagious and produces symptoms similar to those of a severe cold. There is no treatment or vaccine for the virus.

According to the CDC, the virus is spread through close contact with infected people. To reduce the risk of infection, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces and stay home if you feel sick.

Professional Medical stocks a complete line of surface disinfectants and hand hygiene products that can help you fight back against enterovirus and other infectious organisms. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

To learn more, click here.

Strange Dreams Linked to Time of Night

Have a truly strange dream? Chances are, you had it during a long night's sleep.

According to a new study, dreams tend to become longer, stranger and more emotional later at night. The researchers concluded that dreams might be affected by particular times of night.

Earlier on in the night, dreams are more likely to contain references to things people saw, did or thought about during the day. As time goes on, however, dream content becomes more and more detached from reality.

To learn more, click here.

Analysis: ACA Hasn't Created More Part-Time Workers

A new analysis has found that the Affordable Care Act (AKA "Obamacare") didn't create more part-time jobs before 2014, despite fears to the contrary. 

While there has been a small increase in part-time work in 2014, it is largely due to continued economic recovery. There was little change in the number of part-time workers between 2010 and 2012. 

The researchers, however, did not rule out changes in part-time work as new components of the ACA continue to be put into place in the coming years. 

To learn more, click here. 

Scientists Develop Blood Test for Depression Diagnosis

Scientists at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago have developed the first blood test to diagnose major depression in adults. The test also predicts whether depressed individuals will benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, allowing doctors to develop effective, individualized treatment plans.

The test measures the levels of nine RNA blood markers to diagnose depression. It can also reveal the biological effects of cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients who received the therapy for 18 weeks and were no longer depressed showed changes in the levels of relevant RNA markers in their blood.

Currently, depression is diagnosed using subjective analysis and is based on non-specific symptoms such as poor mood, fatigue and a change in appetite, which can also be related to a number of other health concerns.

The test is not yet ready to be marketed to healthcare professionals. First, the scientists plan to test their results in a larger population and determine whether the test can differentiate between major and bipolar depression.

To learn more, click here

Enterovirus D68: What You Need to Know Now

Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio are among the 10 states that have contacted the CDC in the past few weeks for help investigating clusters of enterovirus, a serious respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to an intense cold.

The states are especially concerned because of the high number of children who have been hospitalized related to the virus. In Kansas City, Missouri, more than 30 children a day are being hospitalized for the virus and about 15 percent of the patients are placed in the ICU. So far, none of the cases have been fatal.

This particular enterovirus, EV-D68, was first identified in the 1960s and there have been fewer than 100 reported cases since then. There is no vaccine for EV-D68 and there is no specific treatment for people who are infected. The virus can cause coughing, difficulty breathing and a rash, sometimes accompanied by fever or wheezing. It is especially problematic for people with asthma.

The virus appears to be spread through close contact with infected people. To reduce the risk of infection, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces and stay home if you feel sick. While children and teenagers are most likely to be infected, be sure to keep special watch over your residents as well as anyone else with a compromised immune system.

Professional Medical stocks a complete line of surface disinfectants and hand hygiene products that can help you fight back against enterovirus and other infectious organisms. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Men, People with Certain Cancers Less Likely To Seek Hospice Care

A new study has found that men and people with certain types of cancer are less likely to enroll in hospice care before the last three days of their lives. Other factors that made people more likely to seek hospice care only during the last days of life included being younger than 65, married, of nonwhite ethnicity and having blood or liver cancer.

The study's authors said their findings suggest healthcare providers should focus on making sure these groups are well aware of their end-of-life care options.

During the study, the researchers examined the electronic medical records of more than 64,000 patients in 12 hospices.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Blood Type AB Tied to Increased Dementia Risk

According to a new study, people with blood type AB, which includes about 4 percent of the population, are at an increased risk of dementia.

Over the course of the three-year study, the researchers found that people with blood type AB were almost twice as likely to show memory problems as those with type O blood, the most common blood group.

However, experts caution that there are other factors that are more likely to contribute to dementia, including smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and other lifestyle factors.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Lack of Sleep Could Shrink Your Brain

If you need a reason to turn in earlier, consider this: European researchers have found that a lack of sleep could affect the size of your brain.

The researchers examined 147 adults between the age of 20 and 84, using two MRI scans to examine the link between sleep problems, such as insomnia, and the size of the participants' brains. They found that the participants with sleep problems had a more rapid decline in brain size over the course of the study than those who slept well. These results were especially pronounced in participants over the age of 60.

In addition to brain size, poor sleep has also been linked to problems with the immune system, cardiovascular health, weight and memories as well as brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia.

The researchers stressed that they still need to determine whether the brain shrinkage is a cause or consequence of poor sleep habits.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Nursing Home Residents with Advanced Dementia Receive Medications of Questionable Benefit

According to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, many nursing home residents with advanced dementia receive medications of questionable benefit when they are near death.

The study's authors examined the prescription records of 5,406 nursing home residents with advanced dementia using a nationwide long-term care pharmacy database linked to the Minimum Data Set. They found that 53.9 percent of the residents received at least one medication of questionable benefit, with Cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine hydrochloride and lipid-lowering agents being the most common. The mean 90-day expenditure for medications with questionable benefit was $816.

There is scant evidence that these medications can benefit people with advanced dementia and they can cause serious side effects.

To learn more, click here.

The Top Five Reasons Your Facility Needs Touch-Free Dispensers

If your facility uses pumps or manual dispensers for your hand hygiene products rather than touch-free models, we have five reasons you might want to reconsider your choice.

Better Compliance
A study published in the American Journal of Critical Care found that touch-free dispensers are used significantly more often by staff than manual dispensers when both options are made available (4.42 times per hour vs. 3.33 times per hour for manual dispensers).1

Reduced Contamination
There is less contact contamination with touch-free dispensers, helping to halt the spread of germs.

Less Waste
Because touch-free dispensers automatically dispense the exact amount of product needed to effectively cleanse or sanitize hands, less product is wasted.

Smart Technology
New dispenser technology allows units to use a minimal amount of energy per actuation, eliminating the need to change batteries during the life of the dispensers in most instances.

Saved Space
Because the dispensers can be mounted on walls or placed on floor stands, valuable counter space is saved throughout the facility.

ProMed's highly trained territory managers are ready to tell you about GOJO's LTX touch-free dispensers, which are perfect for high-traffic areas throughout your facility. To learn more about these dispensers as well as our complete line of hand hygiene products and educational tools, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Reference
1 Larson EL, Albrecht S, O'Keefe M. Hand hygiene behavior in a pediatric emergency department intensive care unit: comparison of use of 2 dispenser systems. Am J Crit Care. 2005 Jul;14(4):304-11; quiz 312.

Midwest States Contact CDC Over Enterovirus Concerns

Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio are among the 10 states that have contacted the CDC for help in investigating clusters of enterovirus, a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to an intense cold.

The states are especially concerned because of the high number of children who have been hospitalized related to the virus. In Kansas City, Missouri, more than 30 children a day have been hospitalized for the virus and about 15 percent of the patients were placed in the ICU. So far, none of the cases have been fatal.

This particular enterovirus, or EV-D68, was first identified in the 1960s and there have been fewer than 100 reported cases since then. There is no vaccine for EV-D68 and there is no specific treatment for people who are infected. The virus can cause coughing, difficulty breathing and a rash, sometimes accompanied by fever or wheezing.

The virus appears to be spread through close contact with infected people. To reduce the risk of infection, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces and stay home if you feel sick. Be sure to keep special watch over those who are more susceptible to contacting illnesses, including the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

Professional Medical stocks a complete line of surface disinfectants and hand hygiene products. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Giving Nurse Practitioners More Authority Leads to Reduced Hospitalizations

A new study has found that further empowering nurse practitioners (NPs) could lead to a reduction in hospitalizations.

According to the study, states that allow NPs to practice to the fullest extent of their training without a supervising physician have lower hospitalization rates for SNF residents, inpatient rehabilitation patients and dual-eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners tracks whether states allow NPs to practice at the full, reduced or restricted scope of their training. As of January 2013, 17 states allowed NPs full practice.

The study's authors cautioned that although their results show a link exists, it does not definitively prove that allowing full scope of practice reduces hospitalization rates.

To learn more, click here.

Five Reasons to Consider the CareSens Blood Glucose System

Haven't tried the CareSens Blood Glucose System yet? Here are five reasons we think it's worth your time to give this innovative meter a look:

1. CareSens's test strips utilize glucose oxidase, the most glucose-specific enzyme for testing. This means that caregivers can feel confident that other sugars that might be in residents' medications or food will not interfere with glucose readings. 
2. CareSens's product quality greatly exceeds FDA requirements. To learn more about the product's effectiveness, click here. 
3. CareSens's high-quality, stable test strips have a long shelf life. 
4. CareSens' easy-to-use system provides fast test results using a small blood sample (just 0.5 µl). The blood port is at the tip of the strip for easier access and has alternate-site testing capabilities. 
5. The meter is attractive, sturdy and easy to both read and use. 

To learn more about CareSens, click here. 

Take the “Ouch” Out of Diabetic Testing

Finger-stick blood glucose testing enables caregivers to quickly and effectively monitor residents with diabetes, but let’s face it – it can be a pain (literally). Luckily, the following strategies can help make it a more pleasant process for everyone involved:

• When choosing a lancet, remember that a higher gauge number means a thinner, and typically less painful, lancet tip. Keep in mind, however, that it might be more difficult to get a large enough blood sample using the thinnest lancets. 
• Test on the side of the finger rather than the pad. There are fewer sensitive nerve endings on the side. 
• Make sure the fingertip is prepped before trying to obtain a blood sample. The fingertip should be warm, not cold. If it’s cold, try rubbing or shaking the hand to get blood to the fingertips. 
• If the fingertips are sore following repeated testing, check to see if your meter is approved for alternate-site testing. You might also try switching fingers. 
• Choose a lancet that has linear needle tracking. This feature helps to reduce tissue damage caused by vibrations from the needle. 
• Keep hands moisturized between tests to eliminate the skin hardening that can be caused by repeated finger-sticks.

ProMed’s exclusive single-use MicroLance PF lancets and CareSens N Blood Glucose Monitoring System are the perfect solutions for your diabetic testing protocol. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.