In response to recent actions taken by a number of drug companies to limit the distribution of certain 340B drugs to hospitals and health systems, members of Congress are circulating and asking House of Representatives members to sign a Dear Colleague letter addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the agency to use its authority to address these troubling actions and require the companies to comply with the law.
Efforts under way to protect 340B program
In response to recent actions taken by a number of drug companies to limit the distribution of certain 340B drugs to hospitals and health systems, members of Congress are circulating and asking House of Representatives members to sign a Dear Colleague letter addressed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the agency to use its authority to address these troubling actions and require the companies to comply with the law. Similarly, AzHHA is contacting Arizona’s delegation urging support for the letter. Any hospital affected by the drug companies’ actions is encouraged the reach out to its respective House members and ask them to sign this important letter. Read
Additional changes to COVID-19 data reporting
Governor Ducey signed Executive Order 2020-54 on Tuesday modifying COVID-19 related data reporting once again. The new executive order requires hospitals to report the following:
- ICU bed utilization, inpatient bed utilization, ventilator utilization, and ED visits per day by influenza patients must be reported in EMResource
- Line list with specific data elements of confirmed cases hospitals must also include residential address, phone number, and whether the patient was admitted to the hospital
The Hospital Reporting Requirements and EMResource Toolkit will be updated on the Arizona Department of Health Services’ website. Read
COCA call: Flu amid COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will host a call for clinicians at 2 p.m. EST on September 17 regarding flu treatment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The call, which will be hosted by the CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity, will include an overview of CDC recommendations for healthcare providers on influenza diagnostics and the use of antiviral medications for the 2020-2021 influenza season. More details about the call can be found here.
Louisiana fund for hospital heroes affected by hurricane Laura
Hurricane Laura caused major destruction in parts of Louisiana, especially in the Southwest region. The impact of this Category 4 storm has been devastating for many hospital heroes who experienced significant property loss or personal hardship but continued to care for patients before, during and after the hurricane. In an effort to provide some relief the Louisiana Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation (LHAREF), a 501(c)(3) organization established the Louisiana Care Fund to provide assistance to hospital employees who so desperately need help. Read
AzHHA member Haven Behavioral Hospital of Phoenix welcomes new CEO and director of nursing
Haven Behavioral Hospital of Phoenix recently announced its new CEO, Amy Gerberry and nursing director, Debbie Swiers. Amy joined the Haven team this week and brings with her 25 years of experience treating and serving those suffering with mental health disorders and their families. Known also for her expertise in eating disorders, Amy has an extensive background in inpatient psychiatric leadership and has led teams and programs in all levels of care in many parts of our country. Read
Upcoming Events
September 16 - 2020 Public Health Law Virtual Summit: COVID-19 Response and Recovery
While the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on all Americans’ health and livelihoods may hopefully diminish in the months ahead, legal repercussions will leave lasting impressions. Public health laws and policies are under substantial scrutiny against the backdrop of significant failures to control COVID-19 cases across the U.S. coupled with constitutional and other objections to efficacious legal interventions. Some legal reforms designed to improve the public’s health are already underway; others are under consideration. Join the Western Region Office of the Network for Public Health Law for live, real-time question & answer session on September 16 as part of the Network’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery National Summit.
September 16-17 - Healthcare 2021: What now? What next?
Join AZ HFMA in its 2020 fall conference where speakers will provide real-time updates and case studies - providing answers, guidance and a plan forward for local hospitals, physician groups, health plans and partners.
September 17, 10 a.m. – Introduction to POLST webinar
The one-hour introduction to POLST workshop equips healthcare professionals with knowledge and resources to begin using POLST, a “portable medical order,” in Arizona. The objectives are to describe what POLST is at the state and national level, explain why POLST is important, define the population for POLST, when to begin the conversation and who completes POLST, describe the process for completing, reviewing and updating POLST and learn the process of submitting healthcare planning documents to the Arizona Healthcare Directive Registry.
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