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Health Watch USAsm Presentations:
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Mitigating Infectious Disease Risks During Medical
Visits
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USA discusses
strategies to help mitigate the risks for immunocompromised
patients. of contracting COVID-19. Topics discussed include:
* Risks of COVID-19
* Timing of Appointment
* Preparation For Visit
* Waiting Rooms
* Masking
* Ventilation
* Sanitizers & Wipes
* Vaccination
American Association of Kidney Patients - Sept. 26, 2024.
Draft (Practice) Presentation :
https://youtu.be/70i8WvoM5Es
Download
Slides
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Vaccines, COVID-19 and Long COVID - Presentation to Long
COVID Scotland
Dr Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the history of vaccines with emphasis on George
Washington, Variolation and the Continental Army Smallpox Mandate.
Several points are stressed:
1. that herd immunity is not possible with a mutating virus and
waning immunity.
2. All vaccines have complications, but they are much less than
acquiring the disease.
3. Myocarditis appears to be most common with the second dose of the
Moderna Vaccine in young males, but it is still a rare often mild
event.
4. Natural infection may give a few months longer immunity than
vaccines. However, neither give durable immunity, and becoming
infected every year is not a viable plan.
5. Over 6% of adults living in the United States complain of
symptoms of Long COVID.
6. Vaccinations can prevent over 70% of the cases of Long COVID.
7. Reinfections are common and each carries an additive risk of Long
COVID.
8. Delayed deaths from COVID-19 exceed those from the acute disease.
Types of COVID-19 vaccines are discussed, along with risks and
benefits
June 8, 2024. View Video
https://youtu.be/Htu2RnqufVw
Download Slides
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Source Control Key to Prevent Spread of Infectious
Diseases
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the importance of source control as it relates to
ventilation, masking and isolation. He also discusses concerns with
new proposals regarding the relaxation of isolation guidelines for
COVID, MRSA and Measles. Finally, Enhanced Barrier Precautions and
Chlorhexidine Bathing are discussed. Feb. 27, 2024. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/Aihijxt0HAc
Download PowerPoint Slides
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How to Best Manage the Risk of COVID Infections While
Seeking Healthcare
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh discusses
several strategies to best manage the risks of acquiring COVID-19
while seeking medical care. The concept of minimizing the exposure
dosage along with implementation of mitigation factors are
discussed. Dosage is related to both the number of people you are in
contact with along with the community level of SARS-CoV-2.
Mitigation strategies include the monitoring of indoor ventilation,
the wearing of masks and vaccinations. Presentation to Mask Together
America. Feb. 13, 2024.
https://youtu.be/VigfXZlHNAQ
Download Slides
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Major Concerns Regarding CDC's "Enhanced" Barrier
Precautions
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh discusses concerns regarding the
CDC's proposed Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Nursing Homes. These
precautions may be used for residents who are carriers of MRSA, CRE
and Candida Auris. However, they are only recommended for staff
contacts which have a high risk of transmission. But even low risk
activities are performed so often that transmission can occur. In
addition, colonized residents are allowed to participate in normal
activities. On one hand the CDC is warning of Candida Auris
outbreaks and on the other they are recommending little intervention
to prevent spread. Health Watch USA recommends that screening,
isolation and decolonization be used as the primary strategy and if
this fails residents should be cohorted with other residents with
compatible microbiomes. Presentation given to the People's CDC on
Dec. 7, 2023.
https://youtu.be/IQNoDtePBFs
Download Slides
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Public Comment: CDC HICPAC Meeting - Infection Control
Standards.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
gives a public comment regarding the weakened CDC infection control
guidance in view of the risks they impose to immunocompromised
individuals. The CDC needs to be mindful of the Americans with
Disability Act and protect the most vulnerable in our society when
they are formulating new infection recommendations.
Nov. 3, 2023.
View Written Comment. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/zUV5Tx_EFI4
View Dec. 30, 2023 Updated Letter.
View CDC Response
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Public Comment: CDC HICPAC Meeting - Infection Control
Standards.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS, from Health Watch USAsm
makes the case for better CDC infection control recommendations.
Respirators or PAPRs should be used when treating all airborne
respiratory pathogens. Knowledge of a patient's microbiome is of
paramount importance. Asymptomatic carriers in hospitals and nursing
homes should be identified with screening and undergo isolation and
decolonization protocols. If this fails, cohorting nursing home
residents with compatible microbiomes should be considered. Enhanced
Barrier Precautions are inadequate to stop the spread of disease.
They may even enhance spread by providing a false sense of security.
Finally, we must protect the most vulnerable in our society and
implement protective strategies in compliance with the ADA.
Universal masking in healthcare facilities should be implemented to
accomplish this goal. CDC HICPAC Meeting, Aug. 22, 2023.
View Written Comment. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/E2-ERukRovc
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Public Comment: CDC HICPAC Meeting June 9, 2023 –
Enhanced Barrier Precautions
Enhanced barrier precautions is advocated for
use to mitigate the spread of CRE and C. Auris in Nursing Home
Settings. These are highly
dangerous organisms. A clinical trial is certainly indicated before
planning for adoption in non-research settings. A better approach is
screening to identify the microbiome of residents, decolonization
and cohorting if decolonization is not successful. It is concerning
that the CDC appears to be moving forward with EBP where there is
little evidence supporting their effectiveness with dangerous
pathogens and also appears to be considering abandoning N95 masking
where there is decades of occupational research supporting their
use. Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), June 9, 2023.
View
Written Comment
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/RiFQAaPEHPE
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The Need for Effective Policy to Prevent Airborne Spread
of Pathogens -June 2023 CDC HICPAC Meeting
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh discusses the need for universal
and continued use of N95 masks in healthcare settings. Firm standards
regarding building ventilation need to be set along with firm and
clear guidance to prevent spread. Comment before the Healthcare
Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee
(HICPAC), June 8, 2023.
View
Written Comment
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/g1fPL9qRGt8
(CDC Presentation on Updating the 2007 Isolation Guidelines:
https://youtu.be/w1jvJjZZeM4
Download Presentation Slides )
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COVID-19 Vaccine Imprinting and the Need to Reformulate
the COVID-19 Vaccine - CDC ACIP.
CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Feb. 23, 2023.
Download Comment
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Public Health is Based on the
Concern for Others - Infection Control Today Interview
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the problem created by focusing on individual health
instead of community health. Too many are only concerned about their
risks and choose not to follow public health measures, such as
masking, even if this places others at risk. However, one of the
greatest protections is to not be exposed to the virus in the first
place. Businesses are also too concerned about short-term profits
and have not invested in the provision of fitted N95 masks for their
employees and improvements in ventilation and UV-C germicidal
lighting. We all need to be provided the same protections which were
available to the CEOs at the DAVOS World Economic Forum. Infection
Control Today Interview. Feb. 6, 2023.
https://youtu.be/BQMxA03sG-U
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COVID-19 Vaccine Imprinting and the Need to Reformulate
the COVID-19 Vaccine - FDA VRBPAC.
FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory
Committee. Jan. 26, 2023.
Download Comment
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COVID-19: Vaccine Imprinting & The Need for Stronger
COVID-19 Policy - CDC HICPAC.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
comments on the effectiveness of the new bivalent boosters and the
concerns regarding immunological imprinting. In addition, he
stresses that we cannot vaccinate our way out of the pandemic. The
isolation time for COVID-19 needs to be lengthened and incorporate
negative testing before termination. Strong clear guidelines for the
use of N95 masks, and improvements in ventilation need to be made.
Finally, our goals need to be the prevention of infections and Long
COVID. The latter which is starting to cripple our workforce. Public
Comment at CDC HICPAC meeting. Nov. 3, 2022.
https://youtu.be/opfxE60g84Q &
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20221103-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm
Written Comment Can Be Downloaded From:
https://healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PDF-Downloads/20221102-HICPACComment-3.pdf
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Oral Comment: CDC HICPAC: Risk
Adjustment Risks Normalization of Deviance, A Call For Better Data.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the need for "Data for Action". Too often data is highly
adjusted and delayed in its release. Risk adjustment should be done
to adjust circumstances which cannot be mitigated not to normalize
deviance. Risk adjusting for COVID-19, community levels of MRSA are
problematic. The Veterans Health Administration has not experienced
the pandemic MRSA surge
in hospital onset infections that was seen in the private sector. The
metric for COVID-19 hospital acquired infections is also severely
flawed. Relaxation of school COVID-19 guidance is problematic with
the high rate of deaths and hospitalizations in the United States
along with the teacher and bus driver shortage. It would be much
more pragmatic to wait until the BA.5 booster is available in the
next few weeks. Public comment given before the CDC's HICPAC meeting
on Aug. 23, 2022.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20220823-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm https://youtu.be/pdTY4jG_2M0
Written Comment Can Be Viewed At:
https://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PDF-Downloads/20220823-CDC_HICPAC-Meeting-Comment.pdf
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Oral Comment: CDC's HICPAC Committee Meeting -
Universal Use of N95 Masks & Community Risk Zones Should Be Based
Upon Infections
Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS from Health Watch USAsm
provided the following comment at the the CDC's Healthcare Infection
Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) Meeting. In summary,
when masking is required, I would like to encourage the CDC to
require universal use of N95 masks. And in view of the common
and disabling effects of long COVID, the CDC should revert to a
community risk ranking strategy which is based upon the rate of
SARS-CoV-2 infections and has as its goal to decrease the spread of
disease. CDC HICPAC. Mar. 24, 2022.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20220324-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm
Written Comment:
https://www.healthwatchusa.org/downloads/20220324-CDC-PublicComment%20-%20Final.pdf
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Who Gets the Lung? Vaccinated or Unvaccinated? - ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD: “One person with COVID-19 can
spend months in the ICU, which would prevent 10 or 20, non-COVID-19
cases from going to the ICU, whether it’s for a coronary bypass, or
just angioplasty, or getting a cancer procedure. You have 10 or 20
times the number of patients that can’t get care for other serious
illnesses.” think that there are some people who really don’t think
that this is serious enough to act. And, again, that’s some of the
disinformation and the idea of compound interest that “well, you
know, we’re not seeing a whole lot of change this year so it’s not
something we have to worry about.” I think that there will
definitely be a lot of carrots out there and examples to try to
encourage people to get vaccinated. On the other hand, I’m seeing
some sticks starting to emerge. Singapore is starting to implement
that with no longer paying for COVID-19 related illnesses that occur
in people who voluntarily are unvaccinated. Infection Control Today.
Nov. 26, 2021.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/who-gets-the-lung-vaccinated-or-unvaccinated-
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Animal Kingdom: COVID-19 Has So Many Hosts to Choose
From. - ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD: “The deer apparently
live with COVID-19 quite well, but, yet rapidly spread it amongst
the herds. And that’s actually very problematic, because if it finds
a host that it doesn’t make sick, but yet it can mutate and change
and then reinfect other animals and plus mankind, that is one of the
worrisome scenarios that could take place.” Infection Control Today.
Nov. 22, 2021.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/animal-kingdom-covid-19-has-so-many-hosts-to-choose-from
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/RMjHcFxii1U
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Oral Comment: CDC's ACIP Committee Regarding Pfizer Vaccine
Boosters.
CDC's Consideration of FDA VRBPA's committee recommendations regarding vaccinated individuals who
are biologically high-risk for developing severe COVID-19, and
recommendations for boosters for those at high-risk of SARS-CoV-2
exposure. During a raging pandemic, action is needed NOW, we
do not always have the luxury of waiting for the results of
randomized controlled trials for boosters. Comment Before CED ACIP, Sept 23, 2021.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20210923-CDC-ACIP-PublicComment.htm
https://youtu.be/CELug9tZI_0 Written
Comment:
https://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PDF-Downloads/20210922-The_CDC_ACIP_Written-Comment-3.pdf
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Founder Of Health Care Advocacy Group Disappointed In
Special Session - WVLK
“It is possible the next variant will cause
less disease and we will see a diminution of problems with our
society, but so far, each iteration of this virus has been worse
than the previous one,” said Kavanagh.
Kavanagh was scheduled to have surgery next week in Tennessee, but
it’s been postponed until early October. Kavanagh is not convinced
the surgery will occur even then. “In my mind, I’m asking myself,
and again, you have to remember I’m very biased on this. But, I’m
asking myself why should I be the one to have to delay needed
surgery which may affect my longevity in life, because someone
didn’t wish to take a vaccine,” said Kavanagh. WVLK Stu
Johnson. Sept. 10, 2021.
https://www.weku.org/coronavirus/2021-09-10/founder-of-health-care-advocacy-group-disappointed-in-special-session
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The Doctor Is On: Fields Tough
Questions About COVID-19 - ICT
“COVID-19 is not just respiratory, it affects every organ
of the body. This is a serious type of infection. And we need to be
focusing on trying to keep this virus from spreading, plus
protecting our young.” The pediatric hospitals are filling. But you
also need to remember that approximately 200,000 or more children
have lost a caregiver to COVID-19. I mean, they can spread the
disease. And it’s having a profound impact on them. And people who
are not getting elective surgery, they’re not getting it because the
hospitals are filling with [patients who have COVID-19]. It’s a
numbers game. Vaccination is a shield, cuts it down a bit. Masks are
a shield, cuts it down a bit. Put those two together, and you’re now
starting to get some significant protection. You fix indoor building
ventilation, you do social distancing, and now you start to
formulate a workable plan of getting out of this pandemic.
Infection Control Today. Aug. 11, 2021.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/the-doctor-is-on-fields-tough-questions-about-covid-19
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COVID-19: Lessons Learned A Global Perspective - AHEC
June 15, 2021 Conference, COVID-19: Lessons Learned A
Global Perspective. Subjects include, disinformation, anti-vaxxers,
the false narrative of herd immunity, under counting of the
pandemic's deaths, animals hosts (white tail deer) for SARS-CoV-2,
how masks work, how schools can be opened safely, and how to live
with an endemic virus. The Delta Variant and future variants are
discussed, along with vaccine breakthrough infections. Southern
Kentucky AHEC. Aug. 6, 2021.
https://youtu.be/dIgEAT73kcM
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Heightened Action on Delta Variant is Needed - CDC
HICPAC Public Comment
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
stresses the importance of having real-time accurate reporting of
the COVID-19 immune escape variants. We also need to be genomic
sequencing more specimens and should be reporting state specific
data to help safeguard the public. The CDC should classify the Delta
variant, as a variant of concern. The CDC’s main site should have
easy to access and the most up to date data available in the world.
Advisories regarding both the Indian Variant (Delta Variant) and the P.1 Brazilian
or Gamma Variant need to be made.
Public Comment Before the CDC HICPAC Committee. June 3, 2021.
Download Comment Letter
https://youtu.be/KVYt4PyQuZw
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U.S. Should View India as Cautionary
Tale - ICT
“India has the double mutation [COVID-19]
variant. That’s the variant that has two escape mutations. And that
is a variant we do not need to get into the United States and have
it spread. Infection preventionists need to be out there beating the
drum. First in their facility: They need to get everybody
vaccinated." If you sound the alarm, people may say in the United
States everybody’s fine. You’re just a reactionist. But with the
news coming from India, in seeing what’s going on over there, they
realize that we still need to exercise caution. And if we didn’t
take the steps we did last year, we certainly could have wound up
just like India. India is an example of what happens if you depend
upon the theory of herd immunity. And it is a disaster.
Infection Control Today. May 5, 2021.
https://youtu.be/_Qhjj4dSn_U
Transcript:
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/u-s-should-view-india-as-cautionary-tale
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COVID-19: Vaccine Safety, Variants & How Vaccines Work -
UnitedHere
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm explains
how viruses work and how vaccines can stop them. In addition, he
describes the vaccine approval process and the safety data which we
have so far. The risks of COVID-19 including Long-Haulers Syndrome
are discussed in detail and how the risks of COVID-19 far exceed the
risks of the vaccine. Misinformation is spreading and various
examples are refuted. Finally, COVID-19 viral variants are discussed
and how they impact vaccine efficacy. Presentation to UnitedHere.
Apr. 6, 2021. (27:56). Video link
https://youtu.be/gpcjD8JGN5k
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COVID-19: Texas Opening To Soon
With Invading Variants - ICT
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the dangers of the recent decision of the Texas Governor
removing mask mandates. The importance of vaccination and the
dangers of the variants are discussed. It was stressed that to
safely open the economy, we need to provide workers with N95 masks
and to upgrade building ventilation systems for air sanitization and
more complete air exchanges. Infection Control Today. Mar. 5, 2021.
(22:41)
https://youtu.be/QwTwWkO1McE
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Better Standards & Tracking To Protect Frontline Workers
- CDC HICPAC Meeting
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the need for stronger standards to stop dangerous
pathogens. These standards should be based upon what is required to
stop spread, rather than what we currently have or are willing to
provide. In addition, it is imperative that a national reporting
system, and harmonization of CDC materials and standards be
implemented. Greater attention also needs to be placed on
aerosolization of the SARS-CoV-2 and recommendations for air
sanitization and complete air exchanges. Mar. 4, 2021.
Download Written Comment
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/G-Ea1dfecAQ
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COVID-19: Benefits of Vaccinations and Risks of COVID-19 - Braintree
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm discusses
the urgent need for all to be vaccinated. Risks of both COVID-19 and
vaccinations are discussed in relation to the different vaccines
becoming available and the different variants of the virus which are
emerging. The recent conclusion of the National Academy of Science
that the SARS-CoV-2 Virus is aerosolized is of utmost importance,
since most frontline workers do not have adequate PPE or work in
healthy buildings. This makes being vaccinated of utmost importance.
Health Watch USA & Massachusetts. Nurses Association. The Labor Guild
of the Archdiocese of Boston, Braintree, MA. Feb. 22, 2021. (34:17)
Download Slides
View YouTube VIdeo:
https://youtu.be/GwJk5EcTg5Y
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Q&A: COVID-19 Variant Tests?
‘We’re Kind of Flying Blind’ (Interveiw) - ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD: “Throughout the
history of evolution, and even through the history of mankind,
you’ve seen species get wiped out. You’ve seen civilizations of man
fall because of infections. And the thing that differentiates us
from a tadpole is our science and our knowledge. And if we don’t
take advantage of that….” But even more worrisome is a set of
mutations which have occurred in Brazil, in South Africa. It also
has been noticed in the United Kingdom, and also in a patient up in
Boston, Massachusetts. All having similar mutations and escape
mechanisms, which may make these vaccines less effective. So, if the
virus mutates in such a way that that spike protein is changed, then
that can affect the vaccine’s ability to kill that virus, along with
affecting our ability to detect it. You may have false negatives now
coming about from some of these variants. And we will not know that
the patient actually has COVID-19 by a laboratory test.
Infection Control Today. Feb. 12, 2021.
Transcript of Interview:
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/q-a-covid-variant-tests-we-re-kind-of-flying-blind-
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/lPjKTDZnP7U
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Q&A: COVID Variants Pose a Deadly
Threat (Interview) - ICT
Willpower. That’s what’s missing, says Kevin
Kavanagh, MD, a member of Infection Control Today®’s Editorial
Advisory Board. “We have the technology to do it,” Kavanagh tells
ICT®. “We just don’t have the willpower. I mean, we know how it
spreads, we know how to kill it, we should be able to stop it cold
in its tracks.” And because of that lack of willpower among the
public, there’s a real danger that the variants of coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) that have cropped up will stop being
variants and become commonplace, But what’s very distressing about
the South African and the Brazilian variants is that they’ve mutated
enough that it appears that they can evade our monoclonal antibody
therapeutics. And they may be moderately resistant to the vaccines.
Infection Control Today. Jan. 29, 2021.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/q-a-covid-variants-pose-a-deadly-threat
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/V-B9jhkQvDk
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Q&A: COVID-19 Is Here to Stay (Interview)
- ICT
"...just the fact that animals can
catch COVID-19 is just one of the reasons that makes the disease
endemic, says Kavanagh. “We really do need to learn to live with the
virus,” Kavanagh tells ICT®. “Things will get much better, but I
don’t think we’re going to be able to eliminate this virus off the
face of the earth, similar to what we did with smallpox.” On the
other hand, Kavanagh believes that the new COVID-19 vaccines will be
effective against the variants of the disease that have recently
cropped up. “Because as you know, a vaccine causes a myriad of
antibodies to be formed to that spike protein. And a virus would
have to evade every single one of them to be successful. And that’s
a tall order.”
Infection Control Today. Jan. 6, 2021.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/q-a-covid-19-is-here-to-stay
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/hT2sbQo79hQ
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COVID-19: Infection Control Today - Reviews Past Interviews With Dr.
Kevin Kavanagh (Interview)
Frank Diamond of Infection Control Today reviews segments of
interviews from 2020 from Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch
USA(sm). Topics of who we will transform to a new normal and not go
back to the old along with the dangers of letting the virus surge
and outstripping our resources are discussed. Infection Control
Today. Dec. 21, 2020.
https://youtu.be/91YvC2ureGM
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COVID 19 Answers Dec 28 Dr Kevin Kavanagh Ron Crider
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh answers the most important questions
relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Kevin Kavanagh is founder and
Board Chairman of Health Watch USAsm, a non-profit
patient advocacy and healthcare policy research organization. Dr.
Kavanagh has been an Associate Editor for the Journal of Patient
Safety since July 2014, and is a member of the Editorial Board of
Infection Control Today.
Dr. Kavanagh discusses a wide range of subjects from the
implications of the newly reported viral mutations, how the new
vaccines were developed, safe food handling, how to stay safe and
slow down the spread of the virus, and long-term complications of
the virus including heart damage (myocarditis) along with long
hauler syndrome.
https://youtu.be/CD824wCyrVM
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Q&A: ‘Arguing’ Before the Supreme Court - ICT
When I read the thought process behind the Supreme
Court decision, I did not feel it was a church-versus-state
decision, more than saying, “Hey, we need to do everything equally.”
And that’s extremely important in infection control. You cannot have
some high-risk facilities open and others closed. That’s not only
not fair, but it also won’t control the pandemic. As you know, we’ve
written extensively and talked extensively about control of MRSA
[Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus], and how the
recommendations between hospitals and nursing homes do not coincide
with each other. Infection Control Today. Dec. 1,
2020.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/q-a-arguing-before-the-supreme-court
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Healthcare Workers Hit by COVID
Need Workers Comp - ICT
"Kevin Kavanagh, MD. In a wide-ranging discussion,
Kavanagh—a member of Infection Control Today®’s Editorial Advisory
Board—says that the nation isn’t doing nearly enough to help those
on the frontlines battling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic. Kavanagh says that “these frontline healthcare workers are
putting their lives at risk, and also the lives of their families
and loved ones. And they need to be given support; at least proper
protective equipment. In my opinion, they should get presumptive
workers comp, if they start to develop problems. This is a
significant problem.” The public isn’t taking the disease seriously
enough and leaders are not leading." Infection Control Today.
Nov. 17, 2020.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/healthcare-workers-stricken-by-covid-need-workers-comp
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COVID Vaccine: What Infection Preventionists Need to Know -
ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD: "Infection preventionists will need to
make sure that they still have access to adequate PPE, even if the
vaccine comes out [and they] really need to look at the experimental
group that was used for the EUA." And believe me, if I was a
frontline healthcare worker at my age, a vaccine would really have
to have a lot of complications and concerns before I would not get
it. Now that's just a personal view. Because if it adds any armor to
protect me from a highly infectious disease that's very prevalent in
our community, that has a high rate of fatality, and even a higher
rate of chronic disability, I would opt for that vaccine. Infection
Control Today. Oct. 30, 2020.
https://youtu.be/ZGhsGRkiNos
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Q&A: Are Infection Preventionists Being Misinformed? ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD: "Many of the infection preventionists
over the last six months now have more experience than many of the
policymakers up in DC, because they’ve lived it firsthand. And
they’ve seen how COVID-19 can spread. And they’re starting to
develop a good idea of how to stop it." "There have been a number of
statements from the CDC or at least with the CDC label on it, which
have been disturbing," Kavanagh tells ICT®. Some of those disturbing
statements can be attributed to the fact that the CDC and the rest
of the world didn’t quite know what it was dealing with, but not all
of them. Kavanagh worries that political pressure may be at work.
One of the ways infection preventionists (IPs) can educate
themselves is to look at what’s being done in other countries, and
read the comments under pre-print studies. Also, experience counts,
and IPs have now had months of dealing with the coronavirus.
Infection Control Today. Oct. 9, 2020.
https://youtu.be/TbXait9SRN4
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COVID-19 The Need for the Public To Embrace Public
Health Strategies - KRHA
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses reasons why the public has not embraced public health
guidance. They include, overstatement of treatment efficacy, mixed
messaging regarding the use of masks, testing for asymptomatic
carriers and aerosolization of COVID-19. In addition, false
narratives (that herd immunity can be achieved with few deaths,
COVID-19 is no deadlier than the flu and children do not become
sick) are discussed. Finally, ways of retorting misinformation with
examples given regarding the effectiveness of the Zelenko Protocol
and use of facial masks. Nov. 12, 2020. Kentucky Rural Health
Association.
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/G7OUYGWaatA Download
Slides
-
COVID 19: History of Ineffective Infectious Disease
Policy
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
updates his previous lecture which traces the history of the United
States response to the COVID-19 epidemic. A historical perspective
is given, covering President George Bush's 2005 proposal of the
Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act to the disastrous second
peak of the first wave with continued shortages of medical supplies
and the changing federal advisements on asymptomatic spread, viral
aerosolization and use of masks. Treatments are reviewed along with
overstatements of efficacy. Finally, vaccines are discussed along
with the review process and distribution barriers. Sept. 29,
2020. Kentucky Association for Healthcare Quality & Southern
Kentucky AHEC.
Download
Presentation Slides YouTube Videos:
https://youtu.be/xA7pR2bDAes
-
Q&A: Infection Preventionists
Should Head Back to School - ICT
“I think you’ll find that infection preventionists in
this type of climate are just not healthcare employed personnel.
They need to be everywhere. They need to be in business. They need
to be in schools. And, of course, they need to be in our healthcare
system. But it is crucial to be in schools…”
up to 15% of their college football players who tested positive for
COVID-19—and this includes both symptomatic and asymptomatic
patients—has a mild carditis. And this may present many years down
the line with a cardiomyopathy. Now you’ll hear people say, “Well,
we don’t know what that means. They’re asymptomatic, so they
probably won’t develop anything.” Well, the problem with that
narrative is, is we just don’t know. And dilated cardiomyopathy,
which is the most common type, almost 50% of those are idiopathic,
or you do not know what caused them. And it’s felt to be caused by
an asymptomatic, viral myocarditis. And so, this is cause for
concern. Infection Control Today. Sept. 16, 2020.
Transcript:
https://youtu.be/vhMAM5zjlgE
Video Link:
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/and-a-infection-preventionists-should-head-back-to-school
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Q&A: Flu Data Show Potency of Anti-COVID
Tactics Like Masking, Hand Hygiene - ICT
Wear a mask, good hand hygiene, follow social distancing guidelines:
The strategies just mentioned might snuff out COVID-19 in the long
term, says Kavanagh, if everybody follows them. “But when you look
at the flu, which isn’t as infectious, you would expect it to just
annihilate that type of a pandemic and organism and that’s what
we’re seeing in the Southern Hemisphere,” says Kavanagh. “Now, that
of course is contingent that we follow this guidance, which as you
know, is anywhere but universally accepted by the American public.
Infection Control Today. Aug 18, 2020.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/q-and-a-flu-data-show-potency-of-anti-covid-tactics-like-masking-hand-hygiene
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COVID-19: Seasonal Flu and COVID-19 a Dud or
Devastation It is Up To You - ICT
Kevin T. Kavanagh, MD, MS, Infection Control Today Editorial Board
Member discusses the dangers of simultaneous occurrence of COVID-19
and the flu epidemics. The seasonal flu has all but disappeared in
much of the Southern Hemisphere underscoring the importance of
wearing masks, social distancing and hand hygiene. Although, still
very important, the lack of samples may make the flu vaccine more
problematic than in previous years. Also, discussed are topics of
lasting immunity to COVID-19, the false narrative of Herd Immunity
and organized social media misinformation. Infection Control Today.
Aug. 18, 2020. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/NUKCcPEoHzA
Link to related ICT article:
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/the-2020-flu-dud-or-devastation-it-is-up-to-you
Download Slides and References:
http://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PDF-Downloads/20200818-Flu-Southeast-Asia-Handout.pdf
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COVID-19: Survivability And The Prevention of
Spread - HWUSA Conference Enduring Materials
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the survivability of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 Virus) in the
environment (surfaces, sunlight, humidity, heat) and with different
types of hand sanitizers. He also describes research behind the use
of masks, eye protection and social distancing along with data
indicating the virus may be airborne or aerosolized more commonly
than thought. Finally, risks and mitigating strategies are described
in various retail and community venues. Aug. 5, 2020.
Download PDF PowerPoint Slides
View Video:
https://youtu.be/XVSxV4MWgfc
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COVID-19: Presentation In Children and When To
Open Schools. - HWUSA Conference Enduring Materials
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the various
presentations of COVID-19 in children, and the risk of childhood
transmission to and infections of adults. Current guidance on
opening of schools along with international experience on school
openings is also discussed. Aug. 5, 2020.
Download PDF PowerPoint Slides. View Presentation
Video:
https://youtu.be/bH2znWXMAdU
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COVID-19: Viral Characteristics, Disease
Presentations & Lasting Disability - HWUSA Conference Enduring
Materials
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus along with the
body's immune response and dwindling prospects for herd immunity.
Characteristics of COVID-19 along with protracted recovery and
disability is also discussed. Aug. 5, 2020.
Download PDF PowerPoint Slides. View Presentation
Video:
https://youtu.be/HN9irgJaMb4 Download
Complete Slide Set
-
COVID-19: The Need For A National
Tracking System Of Dangerous Pathogens - ICT
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the need for a national tracking system for dangerous
pathogens and how the recent reassignment of tracking from the CDC
to the Department of Health and Human Services is ill timed and it
would have been preferable to improve the CDC's NHSN reporting
system. Infection Control Today. July 28, 2020. (15:35)
https://youtu.be/wMpk7KOPDTI
-
COVID-19: Experience in Other
Countries - ICT
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the 2019 COVID-19 International Webinar which was
organized with the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Most nations
underestimated the lethality and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. As more
knowledge was gained public health guidance in various countries
changed and their public changed their behavior. In the United
States the changing narrative created mistrust and the public did
not follow guidance. Internationally two main strategies emerged:
The first strategy was a hard close down of the economy and when
cases bottomed out, aggressive case tracking was started. The second
strategy was universal use of masks. Case definitions differ widely
between countries and the best comparison can be made using the rate
of excess deaths as calculated by comparing historical death rates
with the current observed death rates. Preparation was also key to
confronting the pandemic. Singapore had a stockpile of three N-95
masks per resident of the country and had an operational cellphone
tracking system for case tracking. Infection Control Today. July
28, 2020. (15:25)
https://youtu.be/XvNsTdV26t0
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COVID-19: Conference Closing Remarks - HWUSA Conference
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
summarizes the 2020 COVID-19 Conference. The United States has
fallen behind other nations of the world in controlling COVID-19.
Almost all nations underestimated the infectivity and lethality of
the virus and had to change public health recommendations to achieve
control. But unlike other nations, many in the United States used
these changes to discredit public health officials and then advocate
to not follow public health strategies. Leaders in the United States
have also mitigated the dangers of the virus and the usefulness of
widespread community testing.
Closing Remarks: Health Watch USAsm
& the Massachusetts Nursing Association 2020 COVID-19 Conference.
July 15, 2020.
Download Presentation Slides View Video:
https://youtu.be/UwBNeyZUT20
-
COVID-19: The History of the Ineffective Disease Policy
- HWUSA Conference
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
traces the history of the ineffective infectious disease policy
regarding the USA's attempt to stop the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic. A
historical perspective is given, covering President George Bush's
2005 proposal of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act to
the disastrous second peak of the first wave which was associated
with continued supply disruptions, lack of testing and an
uncoordinated Federal response. (23:05). July. 15, 2020.
Download
Presentation Slides View Video:
https://youtu.be/L7qShgRSLIU
-
Pool Testing Might Be Needed to Slow COVID's Spread -
ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD, the founder of Health Watch USAsm,
has been sounding the alarm about coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) for the beginning. He tells Infection Control Today that
it might be time for pool or community testing. Infection Control
Today. July 3, 2020. You Tube Video:
https://youtu.be/kzhY962Nit8
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COVID-19: Importance of the Public
Wearing Masks - ICT
Dr Kavanagh from Health
Watch USAsm discusses the importance of the public wearing masks
and how the economy should safely reopen. He stresses the difficulties in
opening tattoo parlors, hair salons gyms and indoor dinning. He also
discusses the importance of Infection Preventionests and new CMS
regulations. Infection Control Today. June 1, 2020.
https://youtu.be/vR3LWsNXSO8
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Q & A: Reopening
After COVID-19 Needs to be Done Carefully - ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD, the board
chairman of the patient advocacy group Health Watch USAsm, talks to
Infection Control Today about the perils of reopening too quickly and the
value of cloth masks. "What worries me the most about reopening is that
people are going to say, 'Oh, it's over with' and not do any sort of protection,
whether it's social distancing, wearing masks, not gathering in crowds. I
really think that people will think, 'Well, we got this beat.'" Infection
Control Today. May 28, 2020.
https://youtu.be/-3p23E2qBbo
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COVID-19 Dangers of Opening the
Economy too quickly -ICT
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses how the economy should be reopened. The virus is very dangerous,
more contagious and more lethal than the flu. Deaths are mounting and many
patients may have lasting disability. The key to opening our economy is
making the workers and consumers safe. Workers are concerned regarding
returing to their jobs, they need safety equipment, PPE, and all must
wear masks. Cutting off all benefits is setting the stage of social unrest.
A start would be to enact universal healthcare. Infection
Control Today. May 6, 2020. (14:21)
https://youtu.be/v1JXL9CDbHA
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How do we find reliable information? Infection Control
Today - ICT
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Wtach USAsm discusses
COVID-19 and how to identify reliable information. The speed to publish,
retrospective studies and industrial biases muddies study results as we need
the answers immediately in a dangerous progressing epidemic. Infection
Control Today. May 1, 2020. (15:10)
https://youtu.be/N7gNMFhAMn8
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Two Comments: Age of Healthcare Worker
and COVID-19 - Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes - ICT
Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS public comment to CDC's HICPAC
meeting March 5, 2020 regarding: 1. Limiting Older Healthcare Worker
Exposure to COVID-19. 2. Concerns Regarding Effectiveness of Enhanced
Barrier Precautions In Nursing Homes.
Youtube Presentation:
https://youtu.be/dFuSVICEhG8
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CDC Enhanced Barrier Precautions for
Nursing Homes -- Will they work? - CDC HICPAC
Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS from Health Watch USAsm expresses
concern regarding the efficacy of enhanced barrier precautions in preventing the
spread of dangerous pathogens in nursing homes. Public Comment CDC HICPAC
Meeting, Nov. 14, 2019. View YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/Gijk606uY9E Download
Written Comment
-
Transparent and Accurate Reporting of
Infection Rates - CDC HICPAC Mtg
Kevin Kavanagh, MD, Health Watch USAsm, stresses the
need for accurate reporting of and increase transparency of dangerous pathogens.
Public Comment given before the CDC's HICPAC Committee. May 16, 2019. View
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/zFGjj4D42x4
Related LA Times OpEd:
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-kavanagh-epidemics-health-public-policy-20190516-story.html
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Kevin Kavanagh, MD from Health Watch USAsm comments a
the National Quality Forum CSAC meeting, April 24 -25, 2019. on:
1) The opioid epidemic and the effectiveness of opioids in chronic pain.
https://youtu.be/l0uYvfevv8M
2) The unintended harms of improper risk adjustments for disparities.
https://youtu.be/JNpww5ALbEg
3) NQF metric approval process and the role of the Scientific Methods Panel.
https://youtu.be/TEqvOBrIDks
View all NQF Comments:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKKV6p_etRmOE74Y7U6unGzXlUWcbP4-h
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Kevin Kavanagh, MD presents comments before the National
Quality Forums Consensus Standards Approval Committee regarding a proposed
metric for measuring Wait Listing of dialysis patients for renal
transplantation. NQF CSAC meeting on March 12, 2918. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/-2RlK-gFKO0
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Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS: Public comments given
regarding the prevention of MRSA in the NICU along with the protection of
healthcare workers and safety of infectious disease medical devices.
Nov. 15 & 16, 2018 CDC Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee
(HICPAC). YouTube Video (5 mins):
https://youtu.be/HOFCJxV2Rek
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Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS, discusses healthcare worker and
patient safety issues which are created by the United States Response to the
drug resistant bacteria epidemic. Not setting firm standards and research
integrity problems have prevented an effective response in may of our
institutions. Nov. 2, 2018 Kentucky Nursing Association Conference -- Expanded
slide set is used in this video.
The Epidemic of Multi-Drug Resistance Organisms -- It is NOT the Nurses Fault!!
YouTube Video (12.36 mins):
https://youtu.be/k-_fXApc3lA
View Slides
Download Handout
-
Kevin Kavanagh, MD. comments regarding the National
Quality Forum's (NQF) Renal Standing Committee’s non-approval of two metrics
to measure dialysis center referral rates for kidney transplantation.
The final NQF CSAC recommendation was not to accept the Standing Committee’s
recommendation and to refer the metrics back to the Standing Committee for
reconsideration. Oct. 23, 2018.
View YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/SCbpBMsUC8k
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Kevin Kavanagh, MD. comments regarding the National
Quality Forum's metric #0496: Median Time from ED Arrival to ED Departure
for Discharged ED Patients (The Lewin Group/CMS were sponsors). The National
Quality Forum (NQF) Standing Committee recommended not to renew the quality
measurement on Emergency Room wait times. This recommendation was upheld by
the NQF Consensus Standards Approval Committee (CSAC). However, several
members felt this quality measurement should be renewed. This abbreviated
video contains some of their comments.
Points argued for not approving the metric were that:
1) The metric was not risk adjusted.
2) There is not good evidence that it measures quality, just patient
satisfaction.
3) Other metrics measure ER wait times.
The main points argued for approving the metric were that:
1) Not having good evidence to show that the metric has validity in
measuring quality is not applicable, since it would be very hard to
ethically design a randomized control trial on ER Wait times. Who would
consent to be in such a study?
2) That patient satisfaction should be given equal weight to quality in the
assessment of metric validity.
3) Risk adjustment for the acuity of hospital patients was not needed, since
the hospital can staff according to the acuity profile of the patients they
serve.
4) The other metrics measuring ER wait times are being withdrawn.
Final CSAC recommendation was to not renew the metric. View YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/E1hJbgShM9k
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Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS, from Health Watch USAsm presents on
Preventable Hospital Mortality. Preventable deaths are far too common. Little if
any improvement has taken place since the 1999 Institute of Medicine's report
which found between 44,000 and 98,000 preventable deaths. The figure may be even
higher with multiple studies showing the rate to approximate 200,000 deaths per
year. There have been far too many excuses and too little action. The Leapfrog
Group estimates that over 33,000 lives would be saved if all hospitals
functioned at a similar level to their group of highest performing hospitals.
Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. Sept. 5, 2018.
https://youtu.be/bndnpO-hr8Y
Download Handout
Download Slides
-
Multi-Drug Resistant Organism & Antibiotic
Overutilization. Kevin Kavanagh, MD from Health Watch USAsm discusses the
causes and characteristics of the epidemic of multi-drug resistant organisms.
Along with the cost to society if system-wide measures are not implemented to
bring the epidemic under control. Edited version with pertinent PowerPoint
slides. Jack Pattie Show - WVLK-AM March 28, 2018.
https://youtu.be/KDZUb5shG0k
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Multi-drug Resistant Bacteria - Incidence, Prevelance and
Healthcare Transformation. Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the epidemic of multi-drug resistant organisms and their prevention,
projected economic impact and patient mortality. In-depth discussion is given to
C. Difficile, CRE and MRSA. Somerset Community College Public Presentation -
Given March 19, 2018.
Download PDF of
PowerPoint
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/FoBOjMqR7sU
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Kevin T. Kavanagh, MD, MS, presents at The Leapfrog
Group's Hospital Care Ratings Summit on Dec. 7, 2017. Topics discussed are
preventable mortality, hospital accreditation surveys, antibiotic resistant
infections (MRSA), medical devices, full disclosure, risk adjustment,
value-based purchasing and research integrity.
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/cmYJiKkC7HM
Download PowerPoint
PDF
-
Kavanagh KT. Health Watch USAsm comments at the
Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on MRSA
tracking and prevention, along with the need for a better definition of an
"outbreak", the over dependance on hand hygiene and the importance of knowing
the patient's microbiome. Sept. 13, 2017. YouTu
be Video:
https://youtu.be/fLT8fOZrfzw
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Kavanagh KT. presents
on preventable hospital mortality and how the context of the patient should not
be used to lessen the severity of the event. In addition, the applicability of
the foreign studies to predict the safety of the U.S. healthcare system is
questioned. Dec. 9, 2016. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/HRlfhxB-cQY
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Kavanagh KT. Health Watch USAsm
Comments on the importance of preventing the
transmission of resistant bacteria between patients. In addition, the
importance of nursing, worker safety and carrier surveillance was stressed.
Attention was also drawn to polymixin B in topical over-the-counter
antibiotics as a possible cause of resistance to colistin. Presidential
Advisory Council for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Jun. 21 2016.
Washington DC. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/t2LM9IuN7fQ
View Written Comment
-
Kavanagh KT. MRSA Surveillance,
Concerns Regarding Chlorhexidine and Bacterial Resistance. SFAR
(Stakeholder' Forum in Antibiotic Resistance) Conference. Oct. 9, 2014.
Philadelphia, PA. YouTube Video
https://youtu.be/MC7ztSASvuc
Download PDF of Slides
View Video of Presentation
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Kavanagh KT. Prevention of MRSA
infections using surveillance, isolation and decolonization. Bluegrass
Healthcare Coalition. Lexington, KY. Mar. 18, 2014. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/w6MVNjJZxd0
View
Video of Presentation
Health Watch USAsm Presentation Topics & Power Points
The pictures on the right and left are photomicrographs of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
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