PSQH: The Podcast Episode 23 – The Challenges of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
On episode 23 of PSQH: The Podcast, Dr. Kent Locklear, chief medical officer of Lightbeam Health Solutions, talks about the ins and outs of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Experts Urge More Action, Emergency OSHA Standard on COVID-19
Signers of the letter to the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials included David Michaels, former OSHA administrator under President Barack Obama. The letter’s signers contend that current CDC and OSHA guidance does not adequately address the risk of transmission through inhalation of small airborne particles. Much of the federal guidance still refers to exposure to “respiratory droplets.”
Handheld Ultrasound Boosts Doctors’ Pandemic Toolkit
A new generation of handheld ultrasound devices, including the Butterfly iQ, allows faster assessment of pulmonary symptoms of the disease, while minimizing the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the need to move patients and equipment during the treatment process.
More and More Hospital Surveys May Be Onsite, Depending on Conditions
In a memo initially issued January 20 to CMS’ state survey agencies (SA) and revised on February 18, the federal overseer of Medicare said it was directing accreditation organizations (AO) to also limit hospital surveys based on certain criteria. However, in many cases hospitals still may be subject to their regular onsite, triennial reaccreditation survey. And they will be unannounced, as usual.
OSHA HazCom Updates Include Labeling, SDS Requirements
The proposal could lead to changes in labels and SDSs employers would receive. For example, the agency is proposing a new provision for small container labels for containers with a capacity less than or equal to 100 milliliters (ml). Such labels would be required to include, at a minimum, a product identifier; a pictogram(s); a signal word; the chemical manufacturer’s name and phone number; and a statement that the full label information for the hazardous chemical is provided on the immediate outer package.
Study: Half of Hospitalized Coronavirus Patients Have Symptoms 4 Months After Discharge
The recent research article, which was published by JAMA Network Open, features data collected from 219 patients at an academic hospital in Northern Italy. The researchers measured lung impairment, functional impairment, and posttraumatic stress symptoms.
COVID-19 Prods Employers to Explore Virtual-Directed Health Plans
The move is largely a response to the tremendous increase in virtual care visits during the coronavirus public health emergency, according to Aon’s new report released Thursday. That shift in consumer behavior has led 36% of employers to say they are interested in exploring a virtual-directed health plan model with an online primary care platform that directs all care, including coordination with traditional health providers.
Healthcare Leadership Council Releases Report to Prevent a Repeat of COVID-19 Crisis
The study originated before the pandemic began, and was focused on responding better to disasters and catastrophes in general. Once the pandemic struck, “we realized that we needed to expand the scope of what we were doing, and to bring in even more expert voices,” said Mary R. Grealey, president of the HLC.
OSHA Proposes Revised HazCom Standard to Conform to GHS
This action is expected to “address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 update to the HCS, and provide better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners, without lowering overall protections of the standard,” according to OSHA’s proposed rulemaking.
More Than One-Third of U.S. Adults Delayed or Skipped Medical Care Because of Pandemic
Going without needed treatment had consequences, as one-third of the adults (32.6%) who reported delaying or forgoing care said one or more of their health conditions worsened as a result, or their ability to work or perform other daily activities was limited.