Welcome to the Healthcare Ready August newsletter.
We are currently at ENGAGED status for the COVID-19 Pandemic. |
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HIGHLIGHTS
The Dixie Fire in California is the second largest fire in the state and the largest fire of the season burning over 480k acres to date. Primary counties affected include Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Tehama, and Shasta.
August is National Minority Mental Health Month. To bring awareness to the cause, HHS’s Office of Minority Health is unveiling the new Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index. The enhanced tool aims to support identification of racial and ethnic minority communities who are at greatest risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19.
August is also National Immunization Awareness Month, which highlights the importance of protecting patients through on-time vaccination. This is an especially important reminder as the nation recovers from a significant drop in routine vaccinations during the pandemic.
August 8 – 14 was also National Health Center Week, with this year’s theme focused on “The Chemistry for Strong Communities.”
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IN-DEPTH
COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 cases are surging across the country amidst slowing vaccination rates and rising variant strains. Stressed healthcare systems in states such as Florida, Texas and Arkansas are already requesting federal support for medical staff and ventilators.
An increasing number of US children are being hospitalized with COVID-19. As children begin to return to school, the variability in regional mask mandates may lead to increased pediatric cases of COVID, as seen in Mississippi.
The use of pediatric ICU beds for adults with severe cases of COVID – a practice that helped relieve hospital capacity in 2020 – is less likely to be a viable option in this second year of the pandemic given the increasing rate of pediatric cases.
The Delta variant is driving increased breakthrough infections (infections among the vaccinated) and has led many states to reimpose mask mandates.
On August 12, the FDA authorized the use of a booster shot for certain immunocompromised persons that have already been vaccinated, including persons who are:
- Recipients of solid organ transplant(s); and/or
- Are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
Patients with immunodeficiencies are urged to speak with their doctors to understand whether they are eligible for a booster.
On August 13, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met to discuss potential recommendations around COVID-19 booster shots to other immunocompromised individuals.
Therapeutics Update
As of July 30, the FDA added an indication for the use of REGN-COV2, a COVID-19 monoclonal antibody, to include post-exposure prophylaxis. This new development will allow high risk patients to seek care without a positive COVID test and may help reduce transmission, particularly in congregant settings. REGN-COV2 is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19, and is not authorized for pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent COVID-19.
Supply Chain Update
Supply Chain Disruptions
As of August 4, Cardinal Health has issued a voluntary recall for three SKUs in the Monoject™ Flush Prefilled Syringes (0.9% Sodium Chloride) portfolio, which are intended for use in flushing compatible intravenous tubing systems and indwelling intravascular access devices. These syringes are different from syringes used to administer vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. The recall applies to all lots of the products distributed between July 2019 and July 2021 due to potential issues with the plunger and reintroduction of air back into the syringe. There are a limited number of alternative prefilled saline syringe options within the market so disruptions are anticipated – especially combined with the ongoing supply, transportation, and labor challenges.
In Puerto Rico, there was a port strike due to a standstill between the company Luis Ayala Colón, operator of the San Juan Port, and the Union of Workers of the docks - International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). The dispute centered around Navis, a software that Luis Ayala Colón wants operated by non-union personnel. As of August 5, the strike temporarily ended with Puerto Rico’s Union of Dock Workers reaching a tentative, 45-day agreement with their employer.
Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees went on strike as a result of working without a contract for nearly three years, among other issues. The strike ended on August 6 in a “work-to- rule" where essential workers, including border patrol and airport employees, perform their duties as stipulated by law.
Public Health and Community Engagement
Public Health
As of July 28, the CDC issued updated guidance for masking recommending that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in high transmission areas.
Some school districts are going against state-wide bans on masks mandates ahead of the school year as the country sees more child hospitalizations as a result of COVID.
Extreme heat in places like Washington state are causing early closures of COVID testing and vaccination sites. Other natural disasters, including wildfires and hurricanes, could force additional closures in disaster-prone states which may further slow vaccination and treatment rates.
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FLORIDA SPOTLIGHT
COVID-19
- Hospitals and healthcare systems across the country are currently seeing a multitude of compounding impacts, including the most pressing surge of COVID cases fueled by the Delta variant and staffing/workforce shortages.
- While there may be available beds in hospitals, increasing hospitalization rates are putting undo pressure on existing staff shortages
- The Florida Hospital Association stated "many hospitals are stretched to their absolute limits... while hospitalizations continue to increase, three out of four Florida hospitals expect to face critical shortages in the next seven days."
- Hospitals expecting critical staffing shortages in the next 7 days: 75.6% (8.7% increase from 8/12)
- During earlier months of the pandemic, states and hospitals were able to combat surges by waiving licensure requirements and implementing out-of-state waivers to broaden the healthcare workforce pool. However, in recent months, states have started to roll-back and rescind out-of-state waivers. This will make it harder for hospitals to find appropriate and adequate staffing.
- The Federation of State Medical Boards released a list of states and territories that either have waivers in place to allow for out-of-state health practitioners or don't have waivers (inactive waivers).
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COVID-19
Preparedness
Disaster Response & Recovery
Public Health
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