Today the DPH put out a new guidance of healthcare workers. I say guidance but it left me with more questions than answers. I asked today when we were on our Tuesday call with the Governor’s office and the DPH. My question was simple, what is the DPH guidance on N95 use?
They had hoped to have Dr Vivian Leung, a DPH infectious disease specialist but she couldn’t make the call. they promised to help set that up for us. The Governor's office did admit that the guidance could be confusing and the Commissioner did say that the DPH believes N95s are needed when treated Covid patients. I’ve attached the new guidance below. We are also discussing getting hospital inventories, workers. compensation, temporary lodging, and protections against retaliation. Discussions are going slow, but at least they are happening, and we’re not going to stop pushing.
We have some info from AFT tonight.
We also have some info on testing.
Drive Thru Rapid COVID-19 Testing Information
Be well,
We are 45 days from our first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Connecticut.
64,192 have been tested
20,360 have tested positive
1949 are currently hospitalized, up 30 today
1423 have died, 92 today Good evening, leaders!
I hope this email finds you well. The purpose of this note, is to share some information and resources that our Health Issues team thought might be helpful to you.
From AFT:
1. Temporary isolation rooms and patient care areas. Below and attached are resources that provide detailed information you can share with management on how to create temporary airborne infectious isolation rooms and patient care areas. The attached report from the Minnesota Department of Health can be used by facility engineering and maintenance to create temporary negative pressure rooms. The links from NIOSH explain how to use a ventilated headboard which effectively removes 99% of viral particles around the patient. It includes instructions on how hospitals can build these with ordinary building materials or can purchase the NIOSH-designed aluminum version from a vendor.
2. HC Affiliate Samples Google Folder. To see examples of other affiliate works, here is a link
3. AFT HC leaders on Healthcare Voter events. Today at WFNHP President Jeff Weber joined the Healthcare Voter coalition to share stories from the frontlines about the impact of the ACA in the fight against COVID-19. You can view the recorded livestream here. Today’s town hall [is/was] part of a series put on by Healthcare Voter and the Lower Drug Prices Now Coalitions, both of which we are a member. Another town hall focused on New Jersey will take place this Thursday the 23rd at 3pm eastern time and Debbie White, President of HPAE will be speaking. RSVP to that town hall here.
Thank you for all you do!
In Solidarity,
Kelly
Kelly D. Trautner
Director | Health Issues
(Pronouns: she/hers)
T: 202-393-7991 | F: 202-783-2014 | E: ktrautne@aft.org
American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
Find our latest COVID-19 Resources and Information at AFT’s Resource Page
Drive Thru Rapid COVID-19 Testing Information
from the State of Connecticut
The State of Connecticut has formed a partnership with CVS Health in an initiative that makes free, rapid COVID-19 tests available to eligible Connecticut residents. The state’s first rapid testing site opened on Friday, April 17th at Gateway Community College in New Haven.
Using the new Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 test, CVS Health is conducting up to 750 tests per day, seven days a week. Unlike the state’s other COVID-19 testing facilities, patients do not need to be referred by a doctor, however they are required to make an appointment in advance. The general public will be directed to a CVS website https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing to register for testing.
Reserved Spots for Healthcare workers
The State of Connecticut is reserving a limited number of spots per day for healthcare workers. These spots will be available each day, six days a week (Monday through Saturday), from Noon to 4 pm for these workers.
Initially, the demand for testing is expected to exceed the capacity. Every effort will be made to prioritize requests based on the criteria listed below, recognizing that not every potential test recipient may be able to immediately take advantage of this opportunity. (Healthcare workers and their family members can be directed to the CVS website for CVS testing independent of these reserved spots, too.)
Criteria for Testing
Priority should be given to persons with one or more of these symptoms:
• Fever of 100 degrees or higher;
• New cough within last 14 days;
• Shortness of breath
Second priority should be given to persons with one or more of the following risk factors:
• Exposure to or contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days;
• Immunosuppressed;
• Pregnant
Reserving a Testing Slot
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdC12caJ-2eUuLWf-z-4_nnytMREZQWj96xabjG53JxLWiJlA/viewform)
Testing is available Monday through Saturday. You must register the number of your prioritized workers by 5 PM for testing the following day. You will be notified by 10 AM the following day if slots are available for your facility that day. If slots are available for staff in your facility, please advise your staff to arrive between 12 and 4 pm to receive a test. Requests for testing can be sent daily.
Location and On-Site Procedure
• The testing location is:
New Haven, CT
• When you arrive, see the officer at the tent at Long Wharf Drive. Produce your personal ID and facility badge or work identification credentials. Further instructions will follow after check-in.
• Access is by vehicle only. No vehicle may be larger than a passenger SUV. There may be no more than 2 people in each vehicle. It is recommended that each vehicle contain only one person.
• When healthcare workers arrive, they are required to stay in their vehicle. Team members will check their registration and direct them through the testing process. Health care providers, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants from MinuteClinic will be on-site to oversee the testing.
• The process takes approximately 30 minutes from the collection of the swab to the delivery of the results.
• Testing is available at no charge.
General Public Registration
Anyone experiencing certain COVID-19 related symptoms and risk factors as defined by CDC guidelines, as well as those who meet certain requirements including state residency and age guidelines are eligible to be tested. Healthcare workers may also register through CVS’ online system for the general public for assignment to the non-reserved slots. Anyone who does not have an appointment will not be tested. Tests can be scheduled for the same day or up to two days in advance. To register, visit www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.
Reminder:I am reaching our to leaders to see if you would be comfortable in doing any or all of the following. We currently have a request from Connecticut legislative friends for healthcare leaders to speak out against reopening our state too quickly and what that might mean for a rebound of cases, but we also get other requests.1. 30 second video for FB/Twitter/Press2. Letters to the editor3. Speaking to reporters (either on or off the record)4. Sending internal messages to your members (many already doing this)Just email or text me to let me know, or if any of your members are up to it.Please give me as much info as you can about what the different hospital systems are doing as far as Workers Comp on these points:1. Are members being put on Paid Administrative Leave if they are Covid positive/out sick?2. Are member’s medical bills being covered by the hospital?3. Are members having problems with the healthcare systems trying to say an illness was not acquired at work?I need to get these answers to the Governor’s office ASAP. Thank you to those who have responded.
John
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