The Infectious Diseases Society of America updated its position statement to educate its membership on the use of telemedicine and telehealth technologies to provide “evidence-based, cost-effective, subspecialty care.”
Rebecca Leach, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC: “Infection preventionists had to work very closely with our supply chain and look at all of our options and really keep track of it. I also think working with lab more closely will be important in the future, to understand testing modalities, understanding our abilities to test and interpreting those tests.”
Matthew Pullen, MD: “After examining the data of our 821 participants, we did not find a significant difference in the risk of infection following exposure in those taking hydroxychloroquine and those taking placebo."
Includes a Q&A with the study's corresponding author, Curtis J. Donskey, MD, in which he explains what led investigators to explore this means of decontamination.
Sharon Ward-Fore: "Rather than reusing gowns, consider bundling patient care activities to conserve gowns. Donning a gown that has already been used can be tricky, and a source of contamination to the user."
Many healthcare facilities, not only LTCFs, have turned to online training for staff and then designate the employee as competent to do their job. Online training does not prove competency; it provides training.
Most likely the COVID death count of nursing homes will mount as more information comes to light, as only about 80% of the nation’s approximately 15,400 nursing homes have reported their data.
The wearing of cloth masks doesn’t mean that employees should stop following social distancing guidelines. In fact, social distancing guidelines must be followed at all times.
Deborah Chung: “With the 40% of healthcare workers wanting better hand hygiene training pre-COVID, I can only assume that’s been exponentially surged.”
Kevin Kavangh, MD: “What worries me the most about reopening is that people going to say, ‘Oh, it’s over with’ and not do any sort of protection, whether it’s social distancing, wearing masks, not gathering in crowds. I really think that people will think, ‘Well, we got this beat.’”
