In a highly anticipated study that compares rapid antigen and laboratory PCR approaches for COVID-19 serial screening, researchers affiliated with the National Institutes of Health’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative reported that both testing methods were equally effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection when tests were given on a regular cadence every three days. While individual PCR tests are more …
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced that it will publish a notice in the Federal Register to extend the comment period for the COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS) to August 20, 2021, to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment. More information can be found …
Since November 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has rapidly increased, further straining health care systems across the country. Between December 31, 2020 and January 13, 2021, new reported COVID-19 cases averaged about 225,000 per day, over 7 and 3 times higher than the surges the nation experienced during the spring and summer of 2020, respectively. The …
Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) is the automated generation and transmission of case reports from the electronic health record (EHR) to public health agencies for review and action. eCR makes disease reporting from healthcare to public health faster and easier. It moves data securely and seamlessly from the HER at the point of care, to data systems at state, territorial, and …
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists into late 2020, findings from the new NSHAP-COVID Study show that many older adults are resuming in-person interactions. Older adults who are known to be at higher risk for COVID-19 would be expected to be particularly careful about potential exposure to the virus. Yet the data show that 53% of older adults report no change …
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 …
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 …
As facilities begin to reopen, we have some tips to help with outdoor visitation! Please watch our video for guidance about how to safely allow some forms of visitation in long term care facilities. From temperature screening, hand hygiene, and social distancing to recording visitor contact information and requiring signed waivers, there are many things you can do to reduce …
Heritage of Bel-Air (Norfolk, NE) Senior care staff are working harder than ever, offering more of themselves every day to provide quality care for their residents. Showing your staff appreciation is crucial in a time like this, and Heritage of Bel-Air has found a meaningful way to give back to their employees. The dietary department has been providing free meals …
