AAFP Chapter Calls for Smoking/Vaping Ban During COVID-19 Pandemic
The New York state chapter of the AAFP cites grim statistics from China on COVID-19 disease progression in smokers vs nonsmokers.
Called from Primary Care to the ICU? 12 Questions You Need to Ask
In response to COVID-19-related staff shortages, ambulatory physicians may be asked to move to emergency or inpatient care. The AAFP offers a guide to make sure you are protected.
HHS Survey Finds US Hospital Pandemic Response Severely Challenged
Inadequate testing supplies and compromised safety of frontline healthcare providers lead hospitals' challenges, according to new OIG report.
States Best & Least Prepared to Manage COVID-19
A state's preparedness to manage the COVID-19 shock to its health system might be assessed by looking at its foundational health care resources.
Strategies for Optimizing Isolation Gown Supply: Contingency & Crisis
Supplies of isolation gowns for healthcare providers caring for patients with COVID-19 are so low that CDC recommends re-use of single-use gowns.
Rapid Response to COVID-19 Survey Helps Inform Predictive Models in Nevada
In Nevada, 14 000 citizens quickly report on COVID-19 signs and symptoms to enhance predictive public health models and inform containtment strategies for the state.
FDA Orders All Ranitidine Products Removed from the Market
The FDA has accumulated sufficient evidence to conclude a contaminant found in ranitidine is a danger to the public.
COVID-19: China's Experience with Signs, Symptoms, & Severity
The statistics on COVID-19 signs, symptoms, progression, and spread in China put the world on notice.
A Diabetes Emergency Plan: 8 Tips to Help Patients Stay Prepared
For your diabetes patients at home or soon to be at home, use these tips from the ADA and AACE on creating an emergency plan.
ACP Applauds CMS Payment for Audio Phone Visits During Pandemic
Telehealth patient visits that use telephone audio only now will be reimbursed by CMS, a move lauded by the American College of Physicians.
3 Strategies to Optimize Facemask Supply: Conventional, Contingency & Crisis Plans
The CDC outlines 3 surge capacity strategies to help healthcare providers prioritize COVID-19-related conservation of facemasks: conventional, contingency, and crisis.
REDUCE-IT Substudy: Higher EPA, Not Lower TGs Associated with Reduced CV Events
ACC.20/WCC. Increased blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and not reduced triglycerices may explain reduction in cardiovascular events and death seen in REDUCT-IT study.
Quarantined Patients: 5 Tips on How to Stay Connected
For your patients confined to home, whether ill or out of caution, regular virtual contact to check on status and serve as a trusted resource is important. Here are 5 tips on how to do it.
Genitically-guided Antiplatelet Therapy May Have Early Benefit After PCI
ACC.2020/WCC. The TAILOR-PCI trial found benefit to genotype-guided therapy in first 3 months post-PCI, although 1-year results fell short.
Novel Agent Improves Outcomes in Patients with Worsening Heart Failure
ACC.20/WCC. VICTORIA study shows patients with high-risk heart failure taking vericiguat may have lower risk of CV death, HF hospitalization.
FDA Grants Abbott Emergency Use Approval for Rapid, Portable COVID-19 Test
Abbott is ramping up production of the new test that can deliver a positive COVID-19 result in 5 minutes.
ACC.20/WCC Virtual Meeting Begins Saturday, March 28, 2020
Plan to attend ACC.20/WCC Virtual! The American College of Cardiology virtual 2020 scientfic sessions begin Saturday, March 28, at 8:00 am CDT. Find out how to "attend."
Can tPA Be Repurposed to Treat COVID-19 Respiratory Failure?
Tissue-type plasminogen activator could help patients critically ill with COVID-19 avoid the need for a ventilator or get them off sooner, a new research paper concludes.
AAFP: How to Protect the Health of Your Home and Family
Extra precautions before and after the workday and while at home will help HCPs limit risk to family of potential exposure to COVID-19. Guidance here from the AAFP.
Survey Gives Primary Care A Voice on COVID-19
Nearly half of US primary care practices are not able to test for COVID-19 and do not have adequate personal protective equipment. Here is what your colleagues are saying.
Self-Isolation, Self-Quarantine, and Social Distance: Definitions for Patients
The COVID-19 pandemic has made the words "isolation" and quarantine" part of daily conversation. How do you explain them to your patients?
Guidance on Deferment of Non-urgent Visits, Procedures During Panedmic
In order to conserve clincal resources needed to care for patients with COVID-19, the American College of Cardiology suggests that a variety of procedures and visits be placed on hold.
New FDA Guidance on Hand Sanitizer Aims to Boost Supply
In repsonse to the COVID-19-related surge in demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizer, the FDA has issued guidance on temporary production and compounding.
Chronic Lung Disease and COVID-19: ALA Answers Patient Questions
Does COVID-19 cause lasting consequences in patients with chronic lung disease? The answer to this and other common FAQs from these patients provided by the American Lung Association.
FDA Issues Guidance on REMS Requirements During Public Health Emergency
The FDA announced that it will take no action against any party for failure to adhere to REMS during the the SARS-CoV-2 public health emergency.
10 COVID-19 Vaccines & Treatments in Development
There are more than 80 clinical trials in progress globally to test treatments and vaccines targeting COVID-19. We highlight 10 here.
COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease: Clinical Guidance for Primary Care
The case fatality rate for patients with COVID-19 and CVD is higher than for cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes. Here is current guidance from the ACC.
SARS-CoV-2 Lingers in Air, Endures on Plastic, Steel
A new study reports that coronavirus remains viable in aerosol for up to 3 hours, a finding that could help inform theories of contagion.
First Patient Receives Investigational Vaccine Against COVID-19
An investigational vaccine against coronavirus disease was administered to the first participant in the country's first clinical trial of an agent to prevent COVID-19 infection.
COVID-19 and Diabetes: What Your Patients Need to Know
The American Diabetes Association warns that COVID-19 may cause severe complications in patients with diabetes. Here’s how you can help.