Surge capacity refers to the ability to manage a sudden increase in patient volume that would severely challenge or exceed the present capacity of a facility. While there are no widely accepted measurements or triggers to distinguish surge capacity from daily patient care capacity, surge capacity is a useful framework to approach a decreased supply of gloves during the COVID-19 …
New research presented online at the meeting of American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) 2020, has found that nearly 50% of N95 masks fail to work when reused for more than 2 days. Dr. Ronald Check of St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania who presented the study said “N95 respirators used past day 2 had significant failure rates.” Lack of …
On October 21, 2020, the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) announced that it is investigating data received on the death of a volunteer in a clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. The patient, a 28-year old doctor, recently graduated, worked on the front line combatting COVID-19 in three hospitals in …
There has been a lot of discussion on the risks of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have experienced many changes in 2020 that we have no control over. These changes have had even more impact on our residents and families. We are no longer able to celebrate special events, dine in our dining rooms, hug our family members, …
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the world has created unprecedented healthcare, social, and economic disaster. With the most significant mode of transmission considered to be through aerosolized droplets, wearing masks and social distancing can significantly decrease transmission and spread. Nasal rinses and mouthwashes which directly treat the major sites of reception and transmission of HCoV, may provide an additional …
As reported in McKnight’s Senior Living publication on October 16, 2020, we have become an innovative sector! A California-based senior living company is adopting the COVID-19 testing approach of professional sports teams to create “safety bubbles” among its staff and residents. The testing process provides accuracy levels that mirror typical PCR tests. Pools of up to 100 associates and residents …
Impact 2020 BY KATIE CAMERO SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 During the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization estimated that each sick individual was infecting an average of two others. This “basic reproductive number” or (RO) and pronounced “R naught”, reveals how contagious a disease is. Now, new research from Duke University says the number was likely twice …
In an article published in Provider Magazine (AHCA/NCAL), CEO Mark Parkinson likened the COVID-19 pandemic to a marathon. In hindsight that makes a lot of sense! When we were first made aware of the virus, it was in China and other parts of the world. We weren’t the first to get infected and many of us basically said “nah, they …
In an article published in Medscape on October 12, 2020, there have been two confirmed cases of COVID-19 reinfections in the United States. A 25-year-old man from Nevada and a 42-year-old man in Virginia experienced second bouts of COVID-19 about 2 months after they tested positive the first time. Gene tests show both men had two slightly different strains of …
Small gatherings are becoming a growing source of COVID-19 spread, as cases and hospitalizations are on the rise nationwide. “In the public square, we’re seeing a higher degree of vigilance and mitigation steps in many jurisdictions,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield during a call with the nation’s governors on Tuesday, October 13th. Redfield went on to say “but what …
