State inspectors have incorporated new requirements into survey process Several new Nevada regulations are now in effect regarding hospitals. The Board of Health approved a set of regulations which became effective on Dec. 19, 2018, and Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC) inspectors have incorporated the regulations into the licensing survey process. Among the changes are provisions:
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Others may have been exposed between Dec. 10-18, caution is advised for anyone who might be infected Measles has been confirmed in a local resident by the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), the first reported case in Clark County since 2015. This illness was acquired out of the United States. The resident was in Clark County during the infectious period and may have inadvertently exposed other people from Dec. 10 through 18, 2018. Persons who believe they are infected with measles should wear a face mask or other practical means of containment (e.g., loose blanket over the head) and should be isolated in a private room — an airborne infection isolation room, if possible. To read more tips for residents who might have been exposed to the disease and other information from SNHD, view or download the PDF below.
Parents/guardians, caregivers and health care professionals cautioned in light of reports of death and serious injury from devices used to relieve pain Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication after receiving a small number of medical device reports, including one death.
The FDA is alerting parents, caregivers, and health care providers that jewelry marketed for relieving teething pain should not be used with infants or to provide sensory stimulation to persons with special needs, such as autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Such use could lead to strangulation, choking, serious injuries, or death. The safety and effectiveness of teething jewelry to treat teething pain and/or provide sensory stimulation have not been established. The FDA recommends that parents, guardians and caregivers consider the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations of alternative ways for treating teething pain, which include rubbing infants’ gums with a clean finger or providing a teething ring made of firm rubber to chew on. The risks of using jewelry for relieving teething pain include choking, strangulation, injury to the mouth, and infection. In addition to choking and strangulation concerns, amber teething necklaces contain a substance called succinic acid, which may be released into an infant’s blood stream in unknown quantities. This warning is targeted at:
The FDA received a report of a 7-month old child who choked on the beads of a wooden teething bracelet while under parental supervision and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Strangulation can happen if a necklace is wrapped too tightly around the child’s neck or if the necklace catches on an object such as a crib. The FDA received a report of an 18-month old child who was strangled to death by his amber teething necklace during a nap. Other concerns include potential injury to the mouth or infection if a piece of the jewelry irritates or pierces the child’s gums. Recommendations for health care providers
The FDA is closely monitoring adverse event reports associated with teething jewelry and is committed to protecting public health and assuring the safety of children and others. The FDA will update this communication if significant new information becomes available. If you experience an injury or adverse event when using teething jewelry, the FDA encourages you to file a voluntary report by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online at MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program. Please include the following information in your reports:
If you have questions, contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) at:
Nevada Tuberculosis Program endorses updated procedures in technical bulletin In the ongoing battle to increase treatment completion rates and decrease the progression of tuberculosis (TB), Nevada health officials have endorsed the “Updated Recommendations for Use of Once-Weekly Isoniazid-Rifapentine Regimen to Treat Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)” issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A technical bulletin from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) Tuberculosis Program outlines the updated recommendations for use of short-course 12-dose Isoniazid-Rifapentine regimen (also referred to as 3HP) in the treatment of LTBI. The technical bulletin is available for download below. To learn more about TB testing for health facility employees, visit the HCQC Training & Education web page.
Facilities advised to follow strict guidelines for sterilization in light of higher-than-expected contamination rates Current Situation Interim results from recent FDA studies indicate higher-than-expected contamination rates after reprocessing duodenoscopes. Inadequately reprocessed reusable medical devices used on patients can result in avoidable exposures to biological agents and probable transmission of serious infections. Recommendations for Facilities and Staff that Reprocess Duodenoscopes The FDA recommends facilities and staff strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s reprocessing and maintenance instructions and follow these best practices:
Nevada Board of Nursing issues practice decision The Nevada State Board of Nursing has issued a practice decision that it is within the scope of registered nurse (RN) practice to install reversible opioid agonists (e.g., fentanyl is reversed by Narcan) via epidural catheter. The full text of the practice decision is available for download or printing below. HCQC encourages all licensed health facilities to disseminate this information to the appropriate staff. Questions should be directed to the Board of Nursing at (888) 590-6726, via email at [email protected] or through the Contact Form on the Board of Nursing website.
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AuthorThe Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC) licenses medical and other health facilities, child care facilities and personnel, and medical laboratories and personnel in Nevada. HCQC also conducts compliance surveys and takes complaints. Archives
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