We said “never again”, we will be prepared next time. Well, not to cause mass chaos, but the tragedy at the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26 is predicted to cause significant ripples in the U.S. supply chain. The healthcare supply chain may experience short-term effects such as delayed deliveries and restocking issues until deliveries can be re-routed. According …
If you have ever had a state or federal surveyor observe you performing wound care you can relate to the angst most nurses feel. Not only are you responsible for making sure the resident is comfortable, the treatment orders are accurate, your supplies are readily available but now you are also responsible for answering questions from a surveyor. In the …
New infection control practice guidelines are now available; a collaborative effort led by the SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and The Joint Commission. These organizations work diligently day in and day out, to assist healthcare providers in preventing nosocomial infections and these …
I’m sitting on a plane, and across the aisle are two middle-aged women, having a great visit, laughing, talking about their day at work, how happy they are to be going home and it happens. One of the ladies starts coughing, not that dry, hacky cough from being in a dry hotel room, but a nasty cough, that rumbly, yucky, …
The effectiveness and importance of contact precautions for endemic pathogens has long been debated, and their use has broad implications for infection control of other pathogens. Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are a serious public health concern, and the association between coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and personal protective equipment supply availability has strained infection control programs across the country. Given the role of …
The CDC released an updated PPE Burn Rate Calculator with the following instructions for use: The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Burn Rate Calculator (Version 2) excel icon[XLS – 2 MB] is a spreadsheet-based model that will help healthcare facilities plan and optimize the use of PPE for response to COVID-19. Non-healthcare facilities such as correctional facilities may also find this tool useful. To …
The CDC conducted experiments to assess two ways of improving the fit of medical procedure masks: fitting a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask, and knotting the ear loops of a medical procedure mask, and then tucking in and flattening the extra material close to the face. Each modification substantially improved source control and reduced wearer exposure. “Double masking” …
Researchers from the Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands have trialed cooling vests, originally designed for elite athletes, in nursing staff working long shifts in COVID19 wards wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE). The study found that among 386 healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 care, a high prevalence of: Thermal discomfort (77%), Excessive sweating (64%), Thirst/dehydration (81%), Headache (57%) …
FEMA has developed a PPE Preservation Planning Tool Guide, which is an instructional guide to be used with the PPE Preservation Planning Tool (PPEPP Tool). The PPEPP Tool is designed for user inputs leading to estimates of the benefits of preservation practices you may implement. The tool guide is designed to guide healthcare facilities, first responder services, and other impacted …
To help members who are having trouble getting ahold of personal protective equipment, The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) is working with Project N95 to purchase and offer such items at bulk pricing rates. There are no minimum order quantities, but the offer is only for a one-time bulk purchase and may not be repeated. The following …
