New guidance is intended to elicit a stronger immune response and further minimize the risk of rare adverse events The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing updates to the Interim Clinical Considerations to elicit a stronger immune response for immunocompromised persons and to further minimize the risk of rare adverse events, specifically myocarditis and pericarditis associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Certain immunocompromising conditions prevent an individual from mounting a protective immune response to the primary COVID-19 vaccine series and an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine is necessary to increase protection against the risk of severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. After receiving an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the primary series, people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may need a booster dose sooner than other individuals because protective immunity wanes over time. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised make up about 3 percent of U.S. adults (at least 10 million people) and include recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advanced or untreated HIV infection, people currently undergoing treatment for cancer, people who are taking certain medications that weaken the immune system, and others. A complete list of conditions can be found on CDC’s website. Full details can be found in the newest technical bulletin on the Division of Public and Behavioral Health web page linked here.
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Technical bulletin gives details and advises parents, caregivers on what to do with certain Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare products The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate cases of Cronobacter-sakazakii infection in multiple states linked to powdered infant formula that originated from a single Abbott Nutrition production facility in Michigan. Three brands of powdered infant formula were recalled on Feb. 17, 2022, for possible Cronobacter contamination. FDA is investigating several consumer complaints about sick infants who were fed powdered formula.
Cronobacter sakazakii is an organism found naturally in the environment. It can live in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula, powdered milk, herbal teas and starches. It can cause diarrhea and urinary tract infections in people of all ages, but infection can be very serious in infants. Cronobacter infections are rare, but they can be deadly in newborns. Infections in infants usually occur in the first days or weeks of life. About two to four cases are reported to CDC every year, but this figure may not reflect the true number of illnesses because most hospitals and laboratories are not required to report Cronobacter infections to health departments. DPBH has outlined details, including what actions parents and caregivers should take, in a technical bulletin linked here. Medical facilities and facilities for the dependent using the services of nursing pools should verify licensure with state The purpose of this email is to provide medical facilities and facilities for the dependent with information about nursing pools and their licensure requirements.
A nursing pool is defined in Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 449.0153 as a person or agency which provides for compensation, through its employees or by contractual arrangement with other persons, nursing services to any natural person, medical facility or facility for the dependent. “Nursing pool” does not include:
All medical facilities and facilities for the dependent that utilize nursing pools should verify that the nursing pool has an active nursing pool license with the Division of Public and Behavioral Health before entering into a contract for such services. DHHS provides clarification on Emergency Directive 052 for health facilities In light of Gov. Sisolak lifting the state’s indoor mask mandate today, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) is providing clarifying guidance related to health care settings. All health care facilities must continue to implement all infection control practices — including masking — in accordance with applicable state and federal laws (statutes) and regulations. These necessary infection control measures to prevent both the spread of COVID-19 and to reduce the risk of severe outcomes have been consistently provided to health care facilities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be provided in the same manner. State health officials and regulators have drafted a technical bulletin (see attached) to provide guidance on how the Governor’s emergency directive impacts the Division of Public and Behavioral Health’s licensed health care facilities. The bulletin is also posted on the DPBH technical bulletins web page.
Information sent on behalf of Nevada Division of Industrial Relations EmaiAssembly Bill 348 (AB 348) of the 2019 Session of the Nevada Legislature put in place new requirements for medical facilities related to workplace violence. On Dec. 21, 2021 the Legislative Commission adopted regulation R044-20 Workplace Violence in the Medical Industry, and the regulation took effect the next day. The following letter to industry briefly explains the regulation and provides enforcement guidance: New Regulation for Workplace Violence at Medical Facilities.
Also see the Workplace Violence Log Template available at Workplace Violence at Medical Facilities (nv.gov) which can be used by medical facilities to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of the regulation. In addition to the regulation, NRS 618.7318(1) requires medical facilities to submit to the Division of Industrial Relations an annual summary of workplace injuries and illnesses pursuant to 29 CFR 1904.32 using OSHA Form 300A. These forms should be submitted to [email protected]. It’s important to note that Nevada OSHA will be exercising enforcement discretion for reporting year 2021 and will be requiring employers to submit this form to Nevada OSHA no later than April 1, 2022. For future reporting periods, employers will be required to submit the form no later than February 1. Additional resources are available at Workplace Violence at Medical Facilities (nv.gov). Webinar scheduled for March 16, 2022 To help medical facilities comply with the new requirements, there will be a webinar hosted by Nevada OSHA scheduled March 16, 2022, at 2 p.m. An overview of the statutes and regulations will be presented to all establishments that will be required to comply. Click here for information about the webinar. Email questions to Michael Rodrigues at Nevada OSHA at [email protected]. Videos address COVID-19 vaccine concerns and importance of booster doses The Nevada State Immunization Program (NSIP) has provided some resources with information about the COVID-19 vaccine that health facilities can share with patients/residents and staff.
Also, health facilities that have not already done so are encouraged to fill out this short REDCap survey to ensure the facility is listed in the NSIP database. Facilities may request a pharmacy partner that can help provide COVID-19 vaccinations. The link may be used more than once to accommodate responders who need to fill out a separate survey for each facility location. Including sanitation, disinfection, screening, masks, isolation, quarantine and reporting of positive cases The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance specific to Early Childhood Education programs, and to help Nevada’s child care providers reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in their facilities state officials have updated a document integrating those guidelines with Nevada regulations (see attached). This document shows providers how CDC recommendations pair with state-level requirements. The primary change has been the much-awaited update to the recommended isolation period for staff and children who test positive for COVID-19 and to the quarantine period for staff and children who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Facility directors are to report to Child Care Licensing as soon as possible any reportable communicable disease, including COVID-19, found to be present in the child care facility. The link to report to Child Care Licensing and submit online can be found here. The Office of Public Health Investigations and Epidemiology (OPHIE) and the local health authority must also be notified. Directors are to adhere to OPHIE guidance. More information on how and what to report is included in the attached documents.
State health officials seek feedback to help facilities address nursing staff shortfalls The Division of Public and Behavioral Health is sending out a survey to help determine how many hospitals, nursing homes and intermediate care facilities are relying on temporary staffing agencies for nurse staffing needs. The Division is also interested in determining if Nevada-licensed hospitals, nursing homes and intermediate care facilities are paying contract nurses more, less or the same as the wages paid to on-staff nurses.
This survey should take no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete and your participation is highly encouraged to assist the Division in addressing nurse staffing concerns expressed by industry. Please complete this survey no later than February 10, 2022. Click here to take the Temporary Staffing Agencies Used by Nevada Hospitals and Nursing Homes survey. Quarantine is being recommended for certain residents Due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is being updated to enhance protection for health care personnel (HCP), residents and visitors and to address concerns about potential impacts on the health care system given a surge in COVID-19 infections. These updates will be refined as additional information becomes available to inform recommended actions.
In this update, empiric use of Transmission-Based Precautions (quarantine) is recommended for residents who are newly admitted to the facility and for residents who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection if they are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. In general, quarantine is not needed for asymptomatic residents who are up to date with all COVID-19 vaccine doses or who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 90 days; potential exceptions are described in the guidance. However, some of these residents should still be tested as described in the testing section of the guidance. Additional updates that will have implications for nursing homes were made in the guidance documents at the link below. Click here to access the updated CDC guidance. Older adults living in congregate settings are at high risk of being affected by respiratory and other pathogens, such COVID-19. A strong infection prevention and control (IPC) program is critical to protect both residents and HCP. Even as nursing homes resume normal practices, they must sustain core IPC practices and remain vigilant for COVID-19 infection among residents and HCP in order to prevent spread and protect residents and HCP from severe infections, hospitalizations and death. Technical bulletin clarifies applicability to general public and health care personnel The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the quarantine guidance for persons who have been exposed to COVID-19. Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick. Those in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health and follow directions from their public health authority.
Nevada health officials have provided details about the new guidance specific to persons who are and who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, health care workers and persons who have had confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in the past 90 days. A technical bulletin was issued on Jan. 18, 2022, but in light of numerous questions a revised version (dated Jan. 31, 2022) has been posted to the Division of Public and Behavioral Health technical bulletins web page. |
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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