1. Monthly RHCC On-Call
Each month, the NWRHCC has a different person on call to handle after hours emergency needs. Ron Clinedinst is the duty officer for April. 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
ASPR’s Updated Organizational Structure Capitalizes on Our New Capabilities and Expanded Responsibilities
Our reorganization establishes a structure that accounts for our expanded mission, addresses our new capabilities, prioritizes program accountability, and is clear and straightforward in its naming conventions.
Want to know more, read here »
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
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
- First Responder Survey on Occupational Exposure to Illicit Opioids
- 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/
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. The Joint Commission Proposes Standard to Tackle Hospital Impact on Climate Change
Hospitals may soon have to measure energy use, fleet vehicle gas consumption, solid waste disposal, and other measures under proposed climate change standards by The Joint Commission (TJC), which puts responsibility not only on leadership but also “clinical and facility representatives.”
Want to know more, read here »
Source: A.J. Plunket of Accreditation & Quality
2. COVID-19 National Emergency Could end Sooner than May
The Senate passed a resolution March 29 that would expedite the end of the COVID-19 national emergency from its planned May 11 deadline to immediately upon the signature of the president, and President Joe Biden has reportedly indicated he will sign it.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Molly Gamble of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
3. Maryland Hospital Says Hackers Accessed its Computer Systems
Atlantic General Hospital is notifying patients that some of their protected health information may have been compromised after a ransomware attack took down its IT systems.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Naomi Diaz of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
4. The end of the PHE is Coming: How Hospital Labs Should Prepare for the Shift
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in the healthcare supply chain, leaving hospitals with PPE and lab supply shortages. As the public health emergency comes to an end on May 11, is your lab preparing for the next set of challenges?
Want to know more, register here »
Source: BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
5. FDA Finalizes PHE Transition Plan for Medical Devices
With the COVID-19 public health emergency set to expire May 11, the FDA is preparing to prevent any supply disruptions to medical devices after three years of shortages partly spurred by the pandemic.
Want to know more, read here »
Source: Paige Twenter of BECKER’S HOSPITAL REVIEW
