In The News

Outbreaks of Ebola and Triage Recommendations

March 4, 2021

Outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) are ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Guinea. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing this communication as a reminder to U.S. healthcare personnel about CDC infection prevention and control guidance for identifying and managing patients with possible and confirmed EVD.

Please share this information with all personnel who might conduct screening and triage activities or be responsible for initial clinical management of patients (e.g., including Emergency Medical Services, outpatient, and emergency department personnel).

Triage of Patients

Currently, all U.S. healthcare settings are recommended to screen and triage everyone entering the facility for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

 Additionally, it is recommended that facilities

  • Ask about and document international travel histories to alert healthcare personnel to the possibility of other communicable infections, such as viral hemorrhagic fevers, that need specific infection control precautions and/or treatment.
  • Post contact information for infection control personnel and the local public health jurisdiction for reporting of communicable diseases, including EVD, in easily visible locations.

 

Current Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for EVD in U.S. Healthcare Facilities

Current CDC infection prevention and control guidance for U.S. healthcare facilities is available on the CDC Ebola website for clinicians. Specific guidance and tools that may be of interest to facilities include

 

A healthcare facility evaluating a PUI or treating a patient with EVD should consult with public health authorities if they are unable to meet these recommendations due to PPE shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Regional Treatment Network for Ebola and Other Special Pathogens

Healthcare facilities and public health officials should be familiar with the tiered U.S. Regional Treatment Network for Ebola and other special pathogens.

  • Healthcare facilities should understand their role in the tiered network as a Frontline facility, State-designated Assessment Hospital, State-designated Treatment Center, or HHS-designated Regional Treatment Center.
  • Healthcare facilities and public health officials should have established plans for how PUIs or EVD patients are to be managed and referred.
  • CDC continues to coordinate with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Hospital Preparedness Program and the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) to increase U.S. capability to safely manage patients with EVD and other special pathogens. NETEC maintains online resources at the link above, and remains available to provide consultation to hospitals for managing patients with EVD.

 Additional Public Health Resources

 CDC has also issued an Order for airlines, which you can find here: Order: Requirement for Airlines to Collect Designated Information for Passengers Destined for the United States Who are Departing From, or Were Otherwise Present In, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Republic of Guinea | Quarantine | CDC

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Linda Stroup, PhD, RN
President
Colorado Nurses Association
2851 S Parker Rd, Suite 1210
Aurora, CO 80014
720-457-1194
[email protected]  

Colorado Nurses Association (CNA) announces the planned departure of Executive Director, Colleen Casper, DNP, RN, MS.  Dr. Casper has served as the association leader of CNA since 2013.

“I am so proud of the work we have done as an association”, said Casper, “Our volunteer leaders have worked diligently to turn around and transform operations as well as outcomes of the association.”  Casper also credits Civica Associations Conferences and Exhibitions with building a sustainable infrastructure for ongoing membership services and association support.

Casper looks forward to revisiting retirement and looking for “good trouble”!

CNA would like to thank Dr. Casper for her many contributions to the association and to nursing in Colorado.  Casper’s planned departure date is July 2021.  CNA will commence a formal search for the position commencing later this month.  Specific questions may be submitted to [email protected]. Further information will soon be available on the CNA website (www.coloradonurses.org).
 

Residential Care Facilities Staffing Needs

Dear Stakeholders:
The Staffing Shortage Fusion Center and Residential Care Strike Team staffing group have provided staffing solutions in response to the COVID-19 staffing crisis at residential facilities since late November 2020. Teams covered over 2,500 shifts in 10 weeks.
Now, with the staff and residents of these facilities getting vaccinated and Colorado’s positivity rate below five percent, the need for state supported staffing in response to COVID-19 is coming to an end. The Staffing Shortage Fusion Center will be phased out by the end of March 2021.
The timeline and information about how to stay connected with ongoing resources follows.
  • Now - March 10
  • Continue using THIS FORM to request staffing support
  • February 27
  • Last day for the State run teams of CNAs, LPNs, and RNs
  • March 13
  • Last day for the Colorado National Guard teams of personal care workers and QMAPs
  • March 21
  • Funding ends to cost share with the State for HWL staff
The State will continue to monitor EM Resource regularly in an ongoing effort to assess and respond to anticipated staffing shortages at residential care facilities. In accordance with Public Health Order 20-20, please continue to submit daily reports in EM Resource.
  • For short-term contracted staff, contact Steven at Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL) at [email protected]
  • For general inquiries, concerns, and support, you can also email [email protected] 
Please forward this information to others who may be interested
 

ANA and Leading Nursing Organizations Launches National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing

January 26, 2021

Leading nursing organizations convened for the inaugural meeting to launch the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing (the Commission). The Commission will examine the issue of racism within nursing nationwide and describe the impact on nurses, patients, communities, and health care systems to motivate all nurses to confront systemic racism.

The Commission is being led by the American Nurses Association (ANA), National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), and National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN).

To read the full news brief please click here.
 

Emotional and Mental Health in Older Adults Webinar Series

January 11, 2021

Happy New Year! We look forward to connecting with each of you during 2021 and providing relevant, timely and practical education offerings to ensure the health and wellbeing of older adults.  On January 14th we will kick off the winter session of the Emotional and Mental Health in Older Adults webinar series.  

If you have not already registered please make sure to register with this link: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/center-on-aging and feel free to forward this educational opportunity to colleagues and friends.  This information is extremely valuable during these challenging times. We look forward to seeing you all virtually on Thursday, January 14, 2-3pm MTN!

Further details can be found here:

Emotional and Mental Health in Older Adults During Challenging Times Fall Winter Webinar Series
Winter Webinar Series:  January 14-February 4, 2021 
Thursdays, 2pm-3pm (mountain time)
 
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