Is the COVID-19 Federal PHE Nearing Its End?

CMS continues to gradually end some emergency blanket waivers allowed under the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for some providers, but for now the 1135 waivers remain intact for acute care and critical access hospitals. The current 90-day PHE declaration, effective through April 16, could be renewed as early as next week. However, there is a new note recently added atop HHS’ online list of PHE declarations.

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Why Nurses Are Raging and Quitting After the RaDonda Vaught Verdict

In the wake of Vaught’s trial ― an extremely rare case of a healthcare worker being criminally prosecuted for a medical error ― nurses and nursing organizations have condemned the verdict through tens of thousands of social media posts, shares, comments, and videos. They warn that the fallout will ripple through their profession, demoralizing and depleting the ranks of nurses already stretched thin by the pandemic. Ultimately, they say, it will worsen healthcare for all.

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Are You Ready For OSHA’s Wave of New Rules?

OSHA is moving forward with several rulemakings, three of which are healthcare-specific, that could affect many employers. If you’re in the healthcare field, you could be facing a permanent COVID-19 standard based on the agency’s 2021 emergency temporary standard (ETS) and infectious disease and workplace violence standards.

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OSHA Proceeds With Healthcare COVID-19 Rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has scheduled an April 27 public hearing on establishing a permanent healthcare COVID-19 standard. The agency is seeking input on changes to its June 21, 2021, emergency temporary standard (ETS). All but the recordkeeping provisions of the ETS was withdrawn on December 27.

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Intermountain Expands its Inpatient Remote Monitoring Program

The Salt Lake City-based health system is using the money to purchase 70 camera and microphone units, which will be posted in inpatient rooms in Intermountain hospitals throughout the state. The video feed is monitored by clinical staff in Salt Lake City, giving those smaller, rural hospital an extra set of eyes and ears and an on-demand link to providers in an emergency.

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DNV Resumes All Annual Surveys Onsite and Unannounced

Noting that the AO said in January that it was likely to continue the remote annual surveys through at least April, DNV announced through an advisory March 23 that “COVID-19 positivity rates, hospitalizations, and community transmission have dropped significantly, making it much safer to return to onsite survey activities.”

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