![]() Related Articles Kavanagh KT. As COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increase Alarmingly, Workers and Patients Call for Better Standards. Infectin Control Today. Aug. 28, 2023. https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/as-covid-19-hospitalizations-increase-alarmingly-workers-patients-call-better-standards National Nurses United Press Release. NNU delivers petition urging CDC to strengthen proposed infection control guidance; CDC cuts off public comments at advisory committee meeting. Aug. 23, 2023. https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nnu-delivers-petition-urging-the-cdc-to-strengthen-proposed-infection-control-guidance ( Download PDF ) Stone J. CDC Weighs Lower Infection Safety Precautions For Healthcare Workers. Forbes. Aug. 21, 2021. https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.forbes.com/sites/judystone/2023/08/21/cdc-weighs-lower-infection-safety-precautions-for-healthcare-workers/amp/ Chow EJ, Lynch JB, Zerr DM. Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Updating Our Approach to Masking in Health Care Facilities. Annals of Internal Medicine. Aug. 22, 2023. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M23-1230 Kavanagh K, Thomason J, Cormier L. One Step Forward, 2 Back: CDC's Proposals for Infection Control in Health Care Facilities . Infection Control Today. Jul 24, 2023 https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/one-step-forward-2-back-cdc-s-proposals-infection-control-health-care-facilities MacBride K. Why the CDC’s New Mask Guideline Proposal May Actually Imperil Frontline Workers. Daily Beast. June 30, 2023. https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-cdc-mask-guidelines-may-actually-imperil-frontline-workers-experts-say CDC HICPAC Meeting Aug. 22, 2023 Download Agenda Meeting Videos 1. CDC HICPAC Meeting - Isolation Precautions - Aug. 22, 2023 https://youtu.be/RUGOtETsvXY 2. 20230822 CDC HICPAC Meeting - Final Question Work Exposure - Aug. 22, 2023 https://youtu.be/sHm0h47EHPk 3. CDC HICPAC Meeting - Andes & Nipah Virus Precautions - Aug. 22, 2023 https://youtu.be/Pwmwrab6mGY 4. CDC HICPAC Meeting - Public Comment - Aug. 22, 2023 https://youtu.be/msjoFGnd0KU 5. Public Comment: CDC HICPAC Meeting - Infection Control Standards. Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS, from Health Watch USA(sm) 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 YouTube Video Comment. https://youtu.be/E2-ERukRovc View Written Comment. CDC HICPAC Meeting Jun. 8-9, 2023 Download Agenda Presentation Video YouTube Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKKV6p_etRmMZC5U3RC_9NzeRGDYRghre Download CDC Presentation Slide set: Lin M, Wright S (Co-Chairs). Isolation Precautions Guideline Workgroup. CDC HICPAC. June 8, 2023 CDC Slide Set https://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PDF-Downloads/20230608-CDC-IP_Workgroup_HICPAC-FINAL.pdf& 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 Nurshing 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 The Need for Effective Policy to Prevent Airborne Spread of Pathogens -June 8, 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 needs 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 ![]() |