Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “News”
World Health Organization experts have warned that even though the coronavirus pandemic has been very severe, it is “not necessarily the big one” and that the world will have to learn to live with COVID-19. Professor David Heymann, the chair of the WHO’s strategic and technical advisory group for infectious hazards said, “It appears the destiny of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is …
The White House coronavirus task force warned states of incomplete and unstable COVID-19 data due to the ongoing holiday season, making it difficult to track the pandemic’s trajectory as concerns rise over the continued or accelerated spread. “Data is currently unstable, outside of daily hospital admissions, due to inconsistent reporting and incomplete data over the holidays; there will be reporting …
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for 2 vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), one developed jointly by Pfizer and BioNTech and the other by Moderna. According to company press releases and data made available by the FDA, both vaccines have shown approximately 95% efficacy in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections …
Heritage of Bel-Air We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our newest HealthCap Hero, Karissa Zwingman from Heritage of Bel-Air. Karissa lifts up both her team and her residents with her positive attitude, displays of leadership, and compassion. Heritage of Bel-Air shared a wonderful testimony to us about the impact Karissa has on their facility: “Karissa is such …
The CDC has issued updated interim clinical considerations for use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States and interim considerations for preparing for the potential management of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs rarely after vaccination. In addition to screening for contraindications and precautions before administering COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine locations should have the …
Beecher Manor of Beecher, Illinois In our search for HealthCap Heroes, we have found some truly incredible and inspiring individuals. However, in the case of Beecher Manor, we found heroism not just in one individual, but in an entire community that has displayed comradery, passion, and dedication towards protecting the safety of those residing in the facility. This ‘affectionately entwined’ …
The CDC previously released guidelines for contraindications to vaccinations; however, it has now broadened these guidelines to include those with a history of an immediate allergic reaction to previous doses of or any component of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including polyethylene glycol. According to the updated interim guidance, anyone with a history of immediate allergic reaction of any severity to any …
The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety Act) requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the director of AHRQ, to prepare a draft report on effective strategies for reducing medical errors and increasing patient safety. The report includes measures determined appropriate by the Secretary to encourage the appropriate use …
Early reports from frontline clinicians in global epicenters describing extreme shortages and bedside rationing of ventilators and intensive care unit beds prompted a national conversation about how to respond to similar challenges in the United States. Hospitals and health care systems drew on frameworks developed by the Institute of Medicine (OM) and other national organizations to guide care in resource-limited …
N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) and surgical masks are essential in reducing airborne disease transmission, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, currently available FFR’s and masks have major limitations, including masking facial features, waste, and integrity after decontamination. Investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been working to design a better, reusable respirator that could …
