Healthcare Workers of Color Nearly Twice as Likely as Whites to Get COVID-19
The study findings follow other research showing that minority healthcare workers are likely to care for minority patients in their own communities, often in facilities with fewer resources. Those workers may also see a higher share of sick patients, as federal data shows minority patients were disproportionately testing positive and being hospitalized with the virus, said Dr. Utibe Essien, a physician and core investigator for the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion in the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
Coronavirus: Providing Respiratory Therapy on Frontline of the Pandemic
Respiratory therapists have been in short supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study published in 2015 identified the supply of ventilators and the staff to manage them as a weak point in the U.S. healthcare sector’s capability to function effectively during a public health crisis.
A Winning Strategy to Improve Hand Hygiene
By: Megan J. DiGiorgio & Lori Moore With all of the emphasis on hand hygiene and HAI reduction, it would seem that healthcare workers (HCW) would know how and when they should perform hand hygiene. But, this assumption couldn’t be farther from the truth. HCWs can probably list a few or most of the indications … Continued
Coronavirus Pandemic Bares U.S. Healthcare Flaws, Points to Improvements
The COVID-19 pandemic poses the greatest public health threat in the United States since the Spanish flu outbreak a century ago. As of Aug. 4, more than 4.8 million Americans had been infected with the novel coronavirus and 159,000 had died, according to worldometer.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 8 – Drug Diversion in Healthcare
On episode 8 of PSQH: The Podcast, host Jay Kumar talks to Tom Knight, CEO of Invistics, about drug diversion and the impact it has on hospitals.
CMS, CDC Create Provider Payment for COVID-19 Counseling
CMS said it will use existing evaluation and management payment codes to reimburse providers who are eligible to bill CMS for counseling services regardless of the testing venue, including doctors’ offices, urgent care clinics, hospitals and community drive-thru or pharmacy testing sites.
PHE is Extended: Blanket Waivers Continue for Now
The waivers modify or temporarily suspend certain CMS and HHS regulatory requirements as long as the PHE is ongoing. Hospitals, for instance, have used the blanket waivers to expand the use of telehealth, delay some testing and maintenance of non-critical systems, and use temporary facilities as ways to ease the financial and daily burden of meeting the surge of COVID-19 patients.
Home-Based Medical Care in High Demand During Coronavirus Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have been reluctant to visit healthcare facilities due to concerns over coronavirus infection. In April, a Medical Group Management Association survey found that physician practices had experienced a 60% average decrease in patient volume.
Cleveland Clinic Facility Could Play Key Role in Fighting Viruses Like COVID-19
Joseph P. Iannotti, MD, PhD, interim CEO & president, and chief of staff of Cleveland Clinic Florida, talked to HealthLeaders about the role of this type of virus research and why therapeutic innovations are essential to improve the future of healthcare.
Survey: COVID-19 ‘Has Turned The Healthcare Industry Upside Down’
The LocumTenens.com survey was conducted in June and highlights information collected from 940 healthcare professionals in 35 medical specialties.