Amid COVID-19, OSHA Issues Respirator Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities
The industrial hygiene “hierarchy of controls” is a series of workplace safety and health interventions that begins with elimination of hazards, followed by substitution, then engineering controls, administrative controls (including work practices), and personal protective equipment.
Civil Unrest While Managing a Pandemic: Lessons Learned in Minnesota
Two hospital incident command structures (HICS) operated simultaneously—one to manage COVID-19 and the other managed the civil unrest response. Depth in each HICS position developed during the COVID response facilitated the transition of team members to the new HICS.
Researchers Explore Breathtaking Possibility: A Rapid, Low-Cost COVID-19 Breath Test
A joint development agreement between BreathTech Corporation, a subsidiary of Austin, Texas-based Astrotech, and Cleveland Clinic focuses on using a non-invasive device that will analyze breath samples to identify COVID-19 strains.
Review Policies on Cyberattacks as FBI, HHS Send New Warning
Hospitals are required under the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoP), Medical Record Services, to ensure that “unauthorized individuals” cannot gain access to or alter patient records. Deficiencies can be cited under Tag A-0442.
Flu Shots Still Required but TJC Eliminates 90% Goal
Initiatives outlined in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections set the goal of a 90% vaccination rate among healthcare personnel. But in the August publication of the HHS “Healthy People 2030” goals, that 90% rate was removed, according to TJC’s announcement.
CISA, FBI, HHS Warn Hospitals of ‘Increased and Imminent’ Cybercrime Threat
In preparation for potential cybercrime threats, the three federal agencies urged Healthcare and Public Health organizations to maintain “business continuity plans” to minimize service interruptions, warning that without these processes in place, hospitals “may be unable to continue operations.”
Mayo Clinic Expert: Healthcare Leaders Play Key Role in Addressing Burnout
Last week, Liselotte “Lotte” Dyrbye, MD, MHPE, a professor of medicine and medical education at Rochester, Minnesota–based Mayo Clinic, was one of the keynote speakers at the second national Summit on Promoting Well-Being and Resilience in Healthcare Professionals. In her presentation, Dyrbye said there are at least 14 methods to address healthcare worker burnout.
Assess Your EVS Program for Infection Control Problems Before Surveyors Show Up
Earlier this year CMS cited hospitals for not following their own policies and failing to ensure environmental services personnel followed standard procedures for infection control during cleaning, including instances of cross-contamination of surfaces.
Healthcare Worker Well-Being and Resilience Summit: Three Big Ideas
Victor Dzau, MD, president of the National Academy of Medicine provided an update on the organization’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience. Formed in 2017, the collaborative has launched several initiatives and resources, including resources to support clinician health and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, a clinician well-being knowledge hub, publications, and events and webinars.
Wrapping Up International Infection Prevention Week
As International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) winds down, we at PSQH just want to thank infection preventionists for all the hard work they do every day. In these COVID days, their job is more important than ever. Thanks to our sponsors this week, Angelini Pharma and GOJO, the inventors of Purell.