In reference to the updated CDC Guidance on Prevention
Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare settings, CHA
will submit comments on or before the July 22, 2010
deadline for comments. If you would like to share
your comments with us for inclusion in the CHA submission,
please post them here.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPHi) recommends
facilities offer H1N1 vaccines to all of their employees free of
charge in this letter from Dr. Mark Horton
This set of Questions and Answers was initially issued by FDA in
July 2009. Due to the evolving nature of the 2009 H1N1 public
health emergency, FDA has amended the original Emergency Use
Authorizations (EUAs) for both Tamiflu and Relenza. The Updated
Questions and Answers reflect the information in the amended
EUAs.
10-25-09: CDC issues letter and information regarding use of the
investigational antiviral drug Peramivir intraveneously in
certain adult and pediatric patients with confirmed or suspected
2009 H1N1 influenza infection who are admitted to a hospital.
Created by experts at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles as a
deliverable for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Healthcare Facilities Emergency Care Partnership Program Grant,
the Information included in this document is based on learnings
from the 2009 H1N1 Influenza outbreak that began in early 2009.
The information is intended to provide supplementary
recommendations for pediatric pandemic influenza planning and can
be used as an addendum to a larger pandemic planning document.
An exemption
has been granted from California Health and Safety Code Section
124172 subdivision (a) for influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent
influenza vaccine administered to children younger than 3 years
old and pregnant women for the period of October 12, 2009 –
November 30, 2009.
On October 22, Cal/OSHA updated
and released their Interim Enforcement Policy on H1N1 and Section
5199 (Aerosol Transmissible Diseases). Available for download are
the updated standards, guidance on the distribution of state and
federal stockpiles of of N95 respirators and the CalOSHA
Respirator Supply Documentation form.
Describes Medicare coverage and reimbursement rules for the H1N1
vaccine. All providers administering this vaccine should review
this article and be sure that their billing staff are aware of
this information.
Clarifies options that are permissible under EMTALA and reassures
provider community and public health officials that there is
existing flexibility under EMTALA.
July 16, 2009: CDPHi Health Alert update to address the changes in
local health jurisdiction (LHJ) reporting requirements for
pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza cases and outbreaks and provides
guidance for clinicians. Please note the name change from novel
influenza A (H1N1) in keeping with the World Health
Organization’s nomenclature.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released
Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1
Influenza in Healthcare Settings. The guidance is available on
the CDC website. The CHA Hospital Preparedness Program has
provided a summary of the interim guidance for reference.
Policies and guidance which outlines the types of emergency
protective measures that may be eligible under the Public
Assistance Program in the event of a major disaster or emergency
declaration due to an outbreak of a human influenza pandemic in
the United States and its territories.
This document provides interim guidance for healthcare facilities
(e.g., hospitals, long-term care and outpatient facilities, and
other settings where healthcare is provided) and will be updated
as needed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued
recommendations on July 8, 2009 to help state and local health
officials decide who should get novel H1N1 vaccine when supplies
are initially limited.