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 Northwest Region Healthcare Coalition monthly meeting for March (9th) will be virtual. We will use WebEx to host our future meetings, so you should have received an updated meeting invite from us on Tuesday February 14th. If not, please contact us so we can re-send the calendar invite with the updated dial-in information. Also depending on your calendar program, the meeting may have automatically updated without sending you an email.
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.
Want to know more, read here »
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. FDA Drug Shortages
Current and Resolved Drug Shortages and Discontinuations Reported to FDA
2. 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’s National Preparedness Symposium will be held May 23-25, 2023
- Cyber Threats
- More
USFA Digest
- Fire and EMS: Be Alert for Alternative Fuel Vehicle
- DHS Announces $2 Billion in Preparedness Grants
- More
Credit: Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Credit: Virginia Fusion Center
1. FEMA Recovery Series
Each training will need to be registered for individually, and you do not have to take them all.
RC0201 – Individual Assistance Workshop Series (March 6 at 12:30 p.m. to March 8 at noon)
Individual Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessment Training (March 8 at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Fire Management Assistance Grants Training (March 9 at 8 a.m. to noon)
Debris Overview (March 9 at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessment Training (March 10 at 8 a.m. to noon)
Click here for more information.
Registration Instructions: Registration will be done electronically via the Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center at: https://covlc.virginia.gov/. Deadline to register is February 24, 2023.
2. Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week
The Virginia Severe Weather Awareness week are set for March 6 – 10, 2023 with the statewide Tornado Drill set for Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 9:45 AM. We are in the process right now of updating the content for the topics we will focus on each day for safety and preparedness and will have more information forthcoming as we get closer to the awareness week. The topics for the week will be:
Monday — Watches and warnings definitions and how can I receive them?
Tuesday — Tornadoes along with the statewide drill at 9:45 AM
Wednesday — Thunderstorms and Lightning
Thursday — Flash flooding Friday — Outdoor Safety and Preparedness
3. 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/
4: CyberAware February 2023 1 of 2
These products are a result of collaboration and cooperation from a variety of Shield programs and public safety orientated officials.
CyberAware February 2023 1 of 2
5: 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:
March 14, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST
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. What the End of the COVID-19 PHE Means for Healthcare
In this keynote address for Patient Safety Now, presenter Marge McFarlane will explain how this will impact Medicaid enrollment, COVID-19 testing fees, public health reporting of COVID-19 data, and infection prevention strategies in light of ongoing COVID cases.
Date: March 15, 2023
Time: 11:00 am EST
Click here to register for free
3. 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
4. 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!
1. The 2022 National Preparedness Report – Another Failure in Reporting
As with past years, FEMA gifts us the annual National Preparedness Report for the prior year around the holidays. Each report is derived from data from the year prior, so this December 2022 report actually covers the calendar year of 2021. Last year’s report covered risk associated with healthcare systems and the economy, which didn’t get much of a mention in this year’s report, which I think is unfortunate. The reality of surge and the shortage of hospital beds has been brought to the forefront over the past few years, with little to nothing being done to address it.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Tim Riecker of The Contrarian Emergency Manager
2. CDC: 20,000 may Have Been Exposed to Measles at Kentucky Gathering
The CDC is urging Kentucky health officials to be on “high alert” for measles symptoms after determining about 20,000 people may have been exposed to the disease at a large religious gathering in the state, CBS News reported March 1.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Erica Carbajal of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
3. Texas Short 30,000 Nurses as Threat of Hospital Closures Loom
Texas has reached historic workforce shortages with 30,000 unfilled nursing positions and 500,000 nurses expected to leave this year, CBS News reported Mar. 1.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Mariah Taylor of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
4. Water Main Break Prompts New Jersey Hospital to Evacuate Patients
A citywide water main break has prompted Hoboken (N.J.) University Medical Center to conduct an evacuation, though the emergency room will remain open for life-threatening issues, the hospital said Feb. 28.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Erica Carbajal of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
5. Hospitals’ Albuterol Supply may dip After Drugmaker Shuts Down
After Gurnee, Ill.-based Akorn Operating Co. closed its operations in late February, hospitals are left with only one domestic supplier of liquid albuterol, an asthma treatment already in shortage.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Paige Twenter of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
6. President Biden Orders Health Surveys After Rail Disaster
President Joe Biden instructed federal agents responding to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, to go door-to-door to conduct health surveys.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Justin Sink of Bloomberg News
7. Hybrid Flu, COVID-19 Shots Won’t be Ready This Fall: FDA
A single vaccine that protects against both COVID-19 and flu will not be ready ahead of the next virus season, a top FDA official said March 1.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Mackenzie Bean of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
