CDC Launches Online Healthcare-Acquired Infection Tracking Tool

The CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has launched a new online tracking tool designed to help nursing homes monitor healthcare-acquired infections, or HAIs. HAIs are a serious problem in the long-term care setting with staggering statistics¹:

• 1 to 3 million serious infections occur every year in long-term care
• As many as 380,000 residents die every year from the HAIs they contract
• Infections are one of the most common reasons that residents are admitted to hospitals 

By using the tracking tool, the CDC expects that nursing homes will be better able to identify problems, implement preventive measures and monitor their progress in halting infections. Right now, the tracking tool is available to record data on C. difficile, MRSA and other drug-resistant infections as well as urinary tract infections. In addition to capturing data, the online tool also offers access to forms, protocols, training information and additional resources for preventing HAIs. Facilities can begin using the program by enrolling here. 

The NHSN's website notes that submitted data will be used to help gauge progress toward meeting national HAI reduction goals. To learn more, click here.

Professional Medical offers a complete line of infection prevention products, including the new CaviWipes1^™, which are effective in killing 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and fungi in one minute. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, visit us at online at www.promedsupply.com or give us a call at (800) 648-5190.
Reference
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network. Tracking Infections in Long-term Care Facilities. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/LTC/index.html. Accessed September 26, 2012.

Study: Tomatoes May Lower Stroke Risk

According a new study published in the journal Neurology, eating tomatoes can help reduce your risk of a stroke. Why? They contain a powerful antioxidant, lycopene, that promotes brain health.

According to Jouni Karppi, the study's author, "A diet containing tomatoes...a few times a week would be good for our health. However, daily intake of tomatoes may give better protection." The study noted that cooked tomatoes seem to offer better protection than raw.

To learn more, click here.

Botox, Oral Drugs Both Effective in Treating Incontinence in Women

Researchers at Loyola University in Chicago have found that both Botox injections and oral drugs known as anticholinergics are effective in reducing urinary incontinence in women.

Women in the study were divided into two groups. One group received Botox injections in their bladders as well as a placebo pill. The other group received a daily oral anticholinergic. On average, the women who were treated with Botox reduced the daily frequency of their incontinence episodes by 3.3 For the anticholinergic group, this figure was 3.4. Overall, 27 percent of women who received the Botox treatment and 13 percent of the women taking the anticholinergics saw their symptoms resolve completely.

Both groups also reported quality of life improvements.

To learn more, click here.

90% of Seniors Happy with Medicare Part D

According to a new survey, about 90 percent of seniors are happy with Medicare's prescription drug program. This includes seniors who have dual eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid. Seniors with dual eligibility typically have multiple chronic illnesses and make up a large percentage of nursing home residents.

The 90 percent satisfaction rate has risen 12 percentage points over Medicare Part D's seven-year life.

Medicare Recipients Choose Nursing Homes Over Hospices for End-of-Life Care

According to a new study, nearly one-third of Medicare beneficiaries choose to stay in nursing homes over hospices for end-of-life care because Medicare doesn't cover room and board at hospices.

The study's authors believe that Medicare's nursing home benefits should cover palliative and hospice care: "Perhaps having Medicare pay concurrently for post-acute SNF care and hospice services for the same condition could allow earlier incorporation of palliative care for these medically complex patients."

To learn more, click here.

CDC: Cancer Patients, Survivors Need the Flu Vaccine

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and it's also the beginning of fall, when flu starts to crop up.

While cancer patients and survivor are not more likely to get the flu, they are at an increased risk of complications if they do, including pneumonia, hospitalization and even death. The CDC recommends that cancer patients and survivors get the flu vaccine (they should receive the shot, not the nasal spray).

Cancer patients and survivors are also advised to contact their healthcare providers immediately if they experience flu-like symptoms.

To learn more, click here.

Medicare Hospital Readmission Fines Begin Today

Beginning today, Medicare will start to fine nearly two-thirds of hospitals that have high numbers of patients readmitted within 30 days for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia. On average, the penalties will costs hospitals about $125,000 a year.

The fines are currently capped at 1 percent of a hospital's Medicare payments for the first year, but they will eventually rise to 3 percent under the Affordable Care Act.

To learn more, click here.