CDC updates monkeypox guidance, case definition for clinicians
Editor's Note On June 14, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network health update on guidance to help clinicians evaluate and test patients with relevant history, signs, and symptoms for monkeypox, the American Hospital Association (AHA) June 16 reports. This latest update comes on…
Human broadly neutralizing antibodies could provide immunity against COVID-19 variants
Editor's Note In this French study, two human broadly neutralizing antibodies show promise in providing long-acting immunity against COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients. The antibodies were effective against all COVID-19 variants tested and could be used alone or in an antibody cocktail. Researchers examined 102 spike monoclonal antibodies cloned from IgA…
The Joint Commission seeking comments on EM surge management plan
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on June 15 that it is seeking comments on proposed Emergency Management (EM) chapter requirements related to surge management for its hospital and critical access hospital accreditation programs. Since approval of the new, revised EM standards, which are effective July 1, experts in the…
Factors linked to anxiety, depression during first year of COVID-19
Editor's Note This survey study, led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, Boston, finds that clinically significant anxiety and depression increased only modestly overall in US adults in 2020. In this study of more than 1.4 million respondents in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance…
Dashboard reports available for primary, comprehensive stroke centers
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on June 15 that refreshed Accelerate PIโข Dashboard Reports are available for primary stroke centers (PSCs) and comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs) to provide updated performance measurement data on quality measures selected for advanced certification. The reports, which contain data through the fourth quarter of…
OR Business Management Conference: Now On-Demand
Looking for business insights to improve operations, staffing, financial performance, processes, and more? Were you unable to attend our live event due to budgetary restraints? You can now gain all the learnings and continuing education credits offered at the live conference right from your home office! On-demand packages are grouped…
Joint Commissionโs Quick Safety Issue 65 on managing packaged sterile supplies, devices
Editor's Note On June 14, The Joint Commission issued a new Quick Safety report to provide guidance for managing and storing packaged sterile supplies. Organizations must identify the best location to store supplies so staff can readily access them, and ensure the supplies are being stocked to the most optimal…
Study: Best way to test for COVID-19 is nasopharyngeal swab
Editor's Note This study by researchers from Cornell University finds that nasopharyngeal swabs taken from back inside the nostril were more effective at detecting COVID-10 than saliva tests or swabs just inside the nostril or under the tongue. Comparing different samples from 77 patients, the researchers found that: Nasopharyngeal samples…
FDA: Class I recall of Woodside Acquisitionsโ Oral Rapid and Joysbio SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kits
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 9 updated the Class I recall by Woodside Acquisitions Inc of its Oral Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kits and Joysbio SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kits (Colloidal Gold) that are not authorized, cleared, or approved by the FDA. The FDA…
HHS issues new HIPPA guidance for audio-only telehealth services
Editor's Note On June 13, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued new guidance for HIPPA-covered healthcare providers and health plans to comply with privacy, security, and breach notification requirements when using remote communication technologies to provide โaudio-onlyโ telehealth services, the American Hospital…