How to Establish Coronavirus Employee Wellness Support Teams at Hospitals
With coronavirus patients surging beyond New York, the COVID-19 pandemic is straining healthcare organization workforces from coast to coast. The United States has more reported COVID-19 cases and deaths than any other country, at more than 644,000 cases and more than 28,000 deaths as of April 16.
Doctors Should Not Have to Decide Who Lives or Dies
In these times, there is no avoiding unpleasant decisions. But we can choose who makes those decisions. There is a world of difference between the ethical rules that govern the care of patients and the ethical rules that govern public health. Clinical ethics prioritize each individual and leave little room for utilitarian calculations. By contrast, in public health ethics, the value of individual lives is overshadowed by the needs of society.
Study: Contaminated Reusable Bronchoscopes Could Cause Secondary Infections in COVID-19 Patients
Using sterile, disposable bronchoscopes would “substantially reduce the risks” to patients and healthcare staff, the researchers wrote. But single-use bronchoscopes are not widely available and may not be effective for some bronchoscopy uses, they added.
Use These Checklists to Stay Ahead of Promised COVID-19 Focus During Surveys
In a Quality, Safety & Oversight Group memo to state and regional CMS offices, the agency ordered its surveyors to suspend “non-emergency inspections across the country” to allow “inspectors to turn their focus on the most serious health and safety threats like infectious diseases and abuse. This shift in approach will also allow inspectors to focus on addressing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).”
How One Arizona Health System Is Preparing Emergency Department, Critical Care for Surge
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting states with varying intensity, with patient surges expected to roll out across the country in different time frames. For example, as of April 15, New York had nearly 200,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases compared to more than 3,800 cases in Arizona, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Just Over 25% of CFOs Anticipate Layoffs Because of Pandemic
More than 80% of surveyed CFOs expect company revenues and profits to decline this year as a result of the outbreak. Additionally, 75% of CFOs now view the COVID-19 outbreak’s impact on operations and liquidity as the top concern for 2020.
COVID-19 Partner Resources
The below is a list of COVID-19 related resources from our media partners. We will be updating this list frequently.
Online Tool Helps Hospitals Place Staff in Appropriate Roles During COVID-19 Pandemic
The goal of the tool is to help administrators evaluate the competence of this new workforce and assign healthcare professionals to the appropriate patient assignments or tasks that are based on their individual level of practice, according to an Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses news release.
A Quarter of Rural Hospitals at ‘High Risk’ of Closure, COVID-19 Likely to Make it Worse
More than 350 rural hospitals, accounting for $8.3 billion in total patient revenue, are at the greatest financial risk of closure, according to Guidehouse. The five states most likely to be impacted by hospital closures include Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and Kansas, according to the analysis.
Warning: Despite Blanket Waivers, CoP, EMTALA Regulations Are Still in Effect
The blanket waivers were issued for the national emergency declared by the president, retroactive to March 1, to empower healthcare providers to take needed actions and to provide flexibility when preparing and caring for COVID-19 patients.