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Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health organizations have initiated COVID-19 vaccine outreach for their patients and communities. In addition to encouraging staff and patients to take the vaccine, the organizations have taken a positive COVID-19 vaccine message to minority communities and others hit hard by the pandemic.
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A common misperception that has led to vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers and the public is the COVID-19 vaccines were produced with undue haste, seemingly coming out of nowhere to respond to the pandemic. The extensive scientific work with many other viruses that enabled the rapid development of the pandemic vaccines often is left out of the equation.
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It began with the first five cases reported by the CDC on June 5, 1981. What would become known as HIV/AIDS struck fear in HCWs possibly only rivaled by Ebola virus. HCWs worked at mortal risk, with some dying after needlesticks or other sharps injuries that exposed them to patient blood. What was essentially a terminal diagnosis became treatable when the first antiretrovirals were developed in 1995-1996.
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Effective Jan. 1, 2022, new and revised workplace violence prevention standards will apply to all accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals, The Joint Commission recently announced.
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Seventy-four hospitals in Maryland and Washington, DC, have announced they will mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers under conditions that may vary at individual sites.
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A federal judge in Texas dismissed a lawsuit filed against Houston Methodist Hospital for mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare workers as a condition of employment. The plaintiffs are appealing the dismissal, but the action sends a shot across the bow to healthcare workers and others who plan to challenge mandated COVID-19 vaccination programs in hospitals.
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OSHA has published its Emergency Temporary Standard to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 as an interim final rule in the Federal Register, allowing only until July 21 to receive comments and feedback.
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OSHA's emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 is drawing mixed reviews. There certainly is a broad appreciation of OSHA’s effort to protect healthcare workers, but the benefits of the ETS are somewhat mitigated by the fact that it comes 18 months into the pandemic. Many employees are now vaccinated.
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Many people familiar with the concept of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) might think it is a bit of a pipe dream. But does it have to be that way, or can it become a reality? The PCMH model of care enables a patient’s primary care physician to be the main point of contact — the avenue through which the patient’s treatment and care is coordinated across the continuum. This kind of care also is notable for availability when and where a patient needs it, and is conveyed in a way the patient can easily understand.
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Communication is one of the most important aspects of the healthcare experience. This is true for the patient, but it also holds for the staff. The better the communication, the smoother the process — and the more lacking the communication, the more frustrating the process. Multidisciplinary rounds (also called interdisciplinary rounds at some organizations) should center on positive communications that keep processes running smoothly.
