Get the latest updates from the CDC

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Latest optimization strategies for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the CDC:

• Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Facemasks
  

• Recommended Guidance for Extended Use and Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare Settings

• Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings

• Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Eye Protection

• Who Needs PPE? Health Care Supply of PPE

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COVID-19 Informational Webinar For Providers of Dialysis Services

 

The American Society of Nephrology conducted an informational webinar focusing on new COVID-19 guidance for dialysis facilities from CDC and a presentation on managing patients with COVID-19 who require dialysis. This 60-minute webinar explored the possible implications for patients receiving renal replacement therapy and the staff who care for them. The webinar addressed the unique challenges regarding facility preparation, maintaining infection prevention standards, and providing dialysis in the age of COVID-19. Please find webinar resources below.  

• Webinar resource: speaker bios
• Webinar resource: slide handout
• Webinar resource: webinar recording

 

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TELEHEALTH

DOH Permits Use Of Telehealth For Prescribing Controlled Substance For Existing Patients During Emergency Declaration:  Click here for the full DOH Declaration.

CMS Removes Limits on Telehealth Due to Coronavirus

Read RPA’s guidance to nephrologists regarding provision of telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries based on CMS guidance issued on March 17.  Download the PDF to read RPA’s guidance.

Click here to access our Telehealth Resource Page

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Department of Labor

The Department of Labor ("DOL") released a Workplace Poster for employers regarding COVID-19 and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCRA" or "the Act"). Pursuant to the FFCRA, employers must post a notice to current employees informing them of their rights under the Act. All covered employers are required to post a notice of the FFCRA requirements in a conspicuous place on its premises where it is visible to all current employees. If employees are teleworking, an employer may satisfy this requirement by emailing or direct mailing this notice to all of its current employees or posting this notice on an employee information internal or external website. Employers are not required to post this notice in multiple languages.

The poster can be found online at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf

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Coronavirus Information

COVID-19 Call Center available 24/7: +1 (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov

• CDC Guidance for Healthcare Professionals

CDC RESOURCES: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 

ASN Resources

• FAQ SHEET: ASN has developed a FAQ sheet  (updated: March 13, 2020) with Information for Screening and Management of COVID-19 in the Outpatient Dialysis Facility. This FAQ will be updated as new information becomes available.
• AWARENESS POSTER: To assist with the sharing of information within the dialysis facility, ASN has created the attached COVID-19 awareness poster for facility use.
• COVID-19 PRE-PRINT ARTICLES: Due to the high volume of information sought regarding COVID-19, a number of scholarly articles have been released as preprint resources. Articles that are labeled as preprints have not yet been reviewed or revised by other experts; they should not be relied on for clinical guidance. ASN has not reviewed, and does not endorse, any of these resources. Click here to access the relevant section of the Resource Library.

Additional Resources 

The World Health Organization (WHO) is maintaining a page which posts situation reports, travel advice, and technical guidance, among other information.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is also maintaining a page with information for internists, including Novel Coronavirus: A Physician's Guide.

HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) recommends that facilities contact their local/state health department and local/state healthcare coalition if supplies are running low. Click here for regional contact information.

HHS' Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) has posted Information for transplant programs and OPOs regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus on its site.

The FDA has developed a page which includes updates, fast facts, and FDA's role. The FDA has also posted a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Supply Chain Update.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has developed a COVID-19 Fact Sheet in response to recent events.

Sciendo has set up a free web resource listing all its coronavirus Open Access articles. View these resources here.

The VA presented information for "COVID-19 VA Dialysis Preparedness" on March 11, 2020. View the slides here.

The New England Journal of Medicine has posted a collection of articles and other resources on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including clinical reports, management guidelines, and commentary. View the page here.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in dialysis facilities.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has also posted a fact sheet to aid Medicare providers with information relating to the pricing of both the CDC and non-CDC tests.

A compilation of preprint articles related to COVID-19 is posted on this site.