1. Monthly RHCC On-Call
Each month, the NWRHCC has a different person on call to handle after hours emergency needs. Ashley Shifflett is the duty officer for March. Should you need assistance from the RHCC, please call 1-855-469-7422. To request Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), mobile medical assets, or other equipment from the RHCC, please complete the PPE and Mobile Asset Request form located here.
2. Regional Coalition Meeting
The regularly scheduled Northwest Region Healthcare Coalition monthly meeting for April (13th) is being replaced with the Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE). This is a Full Scale Exercise. If you would like additional information about the exercise, please contact Ashley Shifflett.
Credit: Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
Credit: Virginia Department of Health
1. Virginia Department of Health Weekly Situation Report
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Emergency Preparedness offers a weekly report with key takeaways, key figures, and other information affecting public health and healthcare.
Want to know more, read here »
2. COVID-19 Pandemic
Information related to the pandemic can be found on VDH’s and VHHA’s respective websites.
3. Virginia Department of Health Weekly Influenza Activity Report
The Virginia Department of Health offers a weekly report that tracks visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for influenza-like illness.
Want to know more, read here »
4. Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (HAI High Sign Newsletter)
Our HAI/AR Program newsletter, the HAI High Sign is published on a regular basis and distributed electronically to hospital infection preventionists, key stakeholders from other healthcare facilities and membership organizations, as well as health department staff.
Want to know more, read here »
5. 2023 Virginia Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Summit
The Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program will host the 2023 Virginia Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Summit on April 19, 2023 in Richmond. The healthcare coalition will reimburse lodging, mileage, and per diem for those who meet the criteria for reimbursement. If you would like to attend the Summit, please contact Ashley Shifflett, Exercise and Training Coordinator for details.
Credit: Health & Human Services
Credit: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
Credit: Hospital Preparedness Program
Nothing
Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA)
Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) provides timely, accurate, and credible information to clinicians related to emergency preparedness and response and emerging public health threats. COCA fosters partnerships with national clinician organizations to strengthen information-sharing networks before, during, and after a public health emergency.
Want to know more, read here »
Credit: U.S. Food & Drug Administration
1. Personal Protective Equipment EUAs (**New**)
On March 6, 2023, the FDA revised and reissued the umbrella EUA for disposable, single-use surgical masks intended for use in health care settings by health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The revision authorizes emergency use of only those surgical masks listed in the EUA’s Appendix A as of the date of this reissuance. As a result of this revision, the FDA will no longer add surgical masks to Appendix A.
- EUA Letter of Authorization – Umbrella EUA for Surgical Masks (Reissued March 6, 2023)
- Fact Sheet for Healthcare Personnel
- Appendix A: Authorized Surgical Masks
- Surgical Masks Removed from Appendix A
2. FDA Drug Shortages
Current and Resolved Drug Shortages and Discontinuations Reported to FDA
3. Medical Device Shortage Update
Medical Device Shortages During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Credit: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Nothing
Credit: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Credit: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Credit: U.S. Fire Administration
Credit: U.S. Fire Administration
The InfoGram
- FEMA Will Release Major Updates to National Risk Index in Late March, Webinar March 20
- Cyber Threats
- More
Credit: Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Credit: Virginia Fusion Center
1. Region 3 National Emergency Management Basic Academy
The National Emergency Management Basic Academy is the essential program for individuals committed to emergency management as a professional goal. Similar to basic academies operated by the fire service and law enforcement communities, the National Emergency Management Basic Academy provides learners with a broad foundation in emergency management policy and practice.
Where: *Central Virginia Community College
Where: **Liberty University in Lynchburg
* (L0101) Foundations of Emergency Management – August 14-18, 2023
** (L0102) Science of Disaster – September 19-21, 2023
** (L0103) Planning: Emergency Operations – October 17-18, 2023
** (L0146) Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) – November 15-16, 2023
** (L0105) Public Information and Warning – December 12-14, 2023
To view current offerings and register for these courses, please log in to the Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center: https://covlc.virginia.gov/
2: HealthAware Q1 – 2023
Healthcare related open-source email bulletins geared towards issues relevant to healthcare professionals. These products will include information regarding security of facilities and active shooter readiness, pandemic and infectious disease information, bio-terrorism trends, and news and other healthcare related Shield content.
HealthAware Q1 2023
Credit: 123RF
1. Making Mitigation Work (Webinar Series)
The Natural Hazards Center, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is pleased to present the Making Mitigation Work Webinar Series. These free one-hour webinars feature innovative speakers and highlight progress in mitigation policy, practice, and research.
Save the dates for future Making Mitigation Work webinars:
April 18, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST
May 16, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST
June 13, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST
Click here to register for free
2. Infection Prevention Education Series
NETEC has released a new education series on infection prevention and control for special pathogens. The courses in this program are designed for nurses, physicians, emergency responders, and other health care professionals—bringing you back to the basics of infection prevention and control. Earn up to 1.5 continuing education credits and complete the program in as little as 1.5 hours.
Learn More
3. 2023 Preparedness Summit
Registration for the 2023 Preparedness Summit, to be held April 24–27, 2023, in Atlanta, is officially open! The 2023 Preparedness Summit, Recover. Renew: Reprioritizing All-Hazards Preparedness, will provide an opportunity to revisit pressing issues in preparedness and share resources, shape policies, and build skills to mitigate a variety of threats. Please contact Ashley Shifflett before registering if you want to attend so we can receive approval to use money from the regional budget to pay for expenses related to the Summit. Take advantage of early-bird rates—register today!
4. CBERS 2023 – Exercise Design for Community Partners
Participants will learn the fundamental steps of how to design a training exercise and participate with other community partners in a tabletop exercise. This is a free offering by the Virginia Department of Health. The bold locations and dates are the closest to the different parts of our region (East, West, North, and South).
The dates are locations are:
Richmond – March 28, 2023
Abingdon – April 11, 2023
Roanoke – April 13, 2023
Weyers Cave – April 18, 2023
Chesapeake – May 10, 2023
Newport News – May 22, 2023
Dinwiddie – May 4, 2023
Fairfax – June 6, 2023
Stafford – June 7, 2023
To read the flyer prior to registration, click here or you can click here to register.
1. AHA Responds to Congressional RFI on Reauthorizing Preparedness Programs
As Congress considers reauthorizing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, AHA yesterday urged lawmakers to fund the Hospital Preparedness Program at a significantly increased level, strengthen the Strategic National Stockpile, require the federal government collaborate with stakeholders to build an efficient public health data infrastructure and require the Department of Health and Human Services make critical updates to its emergency preparedness playbook. Responding to a Request for Information from House Energy and Commerce members Reps. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., and Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., AHA called the recent decision to sunset the COVID-19 public health emergency “a testament to the progress we have made. However, during that transition, it is critical that we commit to building on the lessons learned and the advancements in care delivery and access made during the PHE. While we recognize that this RFI is only the first step in a longer process to reauthorize PAHPA, it is with this intent that the AHA makes its initial recommendations for creating a more effective and stable health care system.”
Source: AHA Today
2. FACT Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap
Based on current COVID-19 trends, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. Our response to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, remains a public health priority, but thanks to the Administration’s whole of government approach to combatting the virus, we are in a better place in our response than we were three years ago, and we can transition away from the emergency phase.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: HHS Press Office
3. CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
The emergency declarations, legislative actions by Congress, and regulatory actions across government, including by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), allowed for changes to many aspects of health care delivery during the COVID-19 PHE. Health care providers received maximum flexibility to streamline delivery and allow access to care during the PHE. While some of these changes will be permanent or extended due to Congressional action, some waivers and flexibilities will expire, as they were intended to respond to the rapidly evolving pandemic, not to permanently replace standing rules.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: CMS.gov
4. FDA Chimes in on Albuterol Shortage
In a March 8 Twitter thread, the FDA acknowledged it’s aware of a potential drug supply disruption after Gurnee, Ill.-based Akorn Operating Co. closed in late February.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Paige Twenter of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
