UPDATES – COVID-19
- March 30, 2020 Why Abbott’s 5-minute COVID test could be a game-changer https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/why-abbotts-5-minute-covid-test-could-be-game-changer
- March 30, 2020 Update for Employers https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
- March 30, 2020 Update for Healthcare Workers https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/hcp-return-work.html
- March 24, 2020 – Recommendation to suspend audio testing from the CAOHC (Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation https://www.caohc.org/UserFiles/PositionstatementCOVID-191.pdf
- March 24, 2020 Update FMCSA Issues Waiver – Through June 30, 2020 for drivers whose CDLs/certs expire on or after Mar 1, 2020 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/fmcsa-cdl-waiver-32420
- March 24, 2020 Telehealth technology for care coordination during the COVID-19 outbreak
- Bizmatics Announces Complimentary Telehealth Read More: :https://bit.ly/33EO7pG
- March 17, 2020 Medicare Telemedicine Health Care provider Fact Sheet
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet - Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During COVID-19
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html - Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions
https://edit.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-telehealth-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-31720.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2B-u8AFAoq8Dcn_W6R-DOLvtunc7MfwLZvo9cn2KXkOkoBqtY07ainGYM - ATS (American Thoracic Society) website for Updates https://www.thoracic.org/professionals/clinical-resources/disease-related-resources/novel-coronavirus.php
- March 18, 2020 Updated CDC return to work criteria https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/hcp-return-work.html
- Coding of COVID-19 – (courtesy of Bill Dunbar & Associates) https://billdunbar.com/documentation-and-coding/
- March 18, 2020 AHA Updates on COVID-19 Code: https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2020-03-18-new-covid-19-icd-10-cm-code-coming-earlier
BAT Testing — We have received some NAOHP programs looking at doing saliva testing initially and only using BAT machine for confirmations. Programs stating “they can train in system so can get this done quickly.” Your BAT company can provide specific guidance for you to follow.
- State Guidelines Updates: https://www.in.gov/isdh/files/PUI guidelines 3.6.20.pdf
Using State of Indiana above link only as AN EXAMPLE of what other states already have implemented or will be implementing. The new guidelines suggest that only those patients meeting these criteria should be tested, and all others should be referred to self-quarantine and supportive care. Check with your state for specific updated guidelines.
- March 16, 2020: White House Coronavirus Task Force Guidance: 15 Days to Slow the Spread
March 14, 2020: Why Outbreaks Like Coronavirus Spread Exponentially, and How to “Flatten the Curve” (Washington Post)
March 14, 2020: U.S. Department of Labor Issues Temporary Enforcement Guidance for Respirator Fit-Testing in Healthcare during COVID-19 Outbreak
- Spirometry Testing Update: ACOEM Advises Suspension of Routine Occupational Spirometry Testing During COVID-19 Pandemic https://myemail.constantcontact.com/ACOEM-Advises-Suspension-of-Routine-Occupational-Spirometry-Testing-During-COVID-19-Pandemic.html?soid=1102647720683&aid=idWxyX21cJ4
Resources on Occupational Health Measures:
- WHO (World Health Organization) – Coronavirus-2019 (updated daily)
- WHO Courses on COVID-19 (clinical, epidemiology, emergency preparedness (updated daily)
- WHO Situation Reports – Daily updates with global data about the epidemic (updated daily)
- CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Coronavirus-2019 (updated daily)
- CDC – Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (updated February 26, 2020)
- CDC – Interim Guidance for Healthcare Facilities: Preparing for Community Transmission of COVID-19 in the United States (updated February 29, 2020)
- CDC – Guidance on PPE for health care providers (updated 2/29/2020)
- EPA – List of EPA-approved Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Coronavirus (updated March 3, 2020)
- Guidance for Use of N-95 respirators past their expiration dates
(updated March 2, 2020) - PPE CASE Reports
- OSHA – COVID-19 (undated)
- Cal/OSHA – Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus (updated March 6, 2020)
- Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center – Dashboard of global case statistics (updated daily)