Learn how the utilization of international nurses can stabilize your core staffing.
AzHHA welcomes two new board directors
The AzHHA Board of Directors announced last week John Amos, president and chief executive officer of Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center will serve as board chair for a second, consecutive term. The board also voted to approve the addition of two new healthcare executives to the board. The following Arizona healthcare leaders will serve a 3-year term on the board:
- Anthony Santiago, M.D., Gila River Health Care Chief Executive Officer
- Jeff Christensen, Encompass Health Tucson Area Chief Executive Officer
As we welcome our new directors, we would like to thank Beth Bacher, Chief Executive Officer Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital, for her service and commitment to the healthcare community. “As Chair of the post-acute care constituency group, Beth passionately led an education project to help healthcare providers get patients to the right level of post-acute care so those patients can get back to - as close as possible - their functional living,” said John Amos, AzHHA Board Chair. Bacher will rotate off the AzHHA board after eight years of service. To read the full news release, click here.
Staffing Solutions offered through AzHHA’s Affiliated Partner’s Program
International staffing solutions are offered through AzHHA’s endorsed vendor, MedPro International. MedPro International is the industry leader in the recruitment and placement of foreign-educated registered nurses. MedPro has placed more foreign-educated healthcare professionals into the U.S. healthcare system than any other U.S. company. All MedPro International Registered Nurses are educated and trained to meet quality and U.S. credentialing and licensure standards. Join MedPro executives for a complimentary webinar on November 16 at 2 p.m. or November 18 at 12 p.m. to learn how the utilization of international nurses can stabilize your core staffing. Register for the webinar of your choice by clicking on your preferred date and time. Both webinars will offer the same information. Find an introductory video here.
No cost Healthcare Leadership for Mass Casualty Incidents course
The Arizona Coalition for Healthcare Emergency Response (AzCHER) in partnership with the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) will offer AzHHA hospital members an opportunity to assist the Healthcare Leadership for Mass Casualty Incidents - HCL MGT-901 with all expenses paid, including meals. While the dates for the four-day course are not set, it will be held sometime between March 7, 2022 and July 1, 2022 in Anniston, Alabama. Limited pre-registration is open until November 12. AzHHA Members interested in pre-registering must be a member of AzCHER or become a member by December 31.
To become a member of AzHER, visit AzCHER.org/membership. Pre-register for the training, here. Once you have pre-registered by filling out the interest form, a member of the AzCHER team will share the registration information.
Effective November 29, all students attending resident training in person at the Center for Domestic Preparedness will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with no exceptions.
CDC and FDA recommend Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accepted Tuesday the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation that children ages 5–11 be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. According to the agency’s media statement, “In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild, self-limiting, and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children. The most common side effect was a sore arm.”
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced Wednesday, the distribution of pediatric doses has begun and full capacity is expected beginning Monday, November 8. The agency encourages parents to check with their healthcare provider or pharmacy for availability before taking children to get the vaccine. Walgreens announced it will begin administering pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations on November 6, while CVS will begin November 7.
The vaccine approved for emergency use in children ages 5-11 consists of a different formulation and dosing regimen than the vaccine approved for individuals ages 12 and older. Product between the two age groups is not interchangeable. For detailed information on the dosing preparation and administration of the vaccine, please see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) fact sheet for providers.
Parents with questions about COVID-19 vaccination may contact their healthcare provider or visit azhealth.gov/COVID19vaccines.
FDA investigating certain imported medical gloves
Certain overseas companies have been issued warning letters by the FDA due to their medical examining gloves appearing to have been reprocessed, cleaned or recycled and sold as new. The FDA issued an Import Alert on October 26 listing the companies and their products subject to Detention without Physical Examination under the Import Alert. Medical providers and healthcare facilities should not use or purchase imported gloves included in the list. Purchased gloves appearing to be visibly soiled, are a different color, appear to have been used or otherwise seem to be fraudulent, should be reported to the agency by email to [email protected].
Arizona Supreme Court upholds school mask mandate ruling
Six Arizona Supreme Court Justices upheld an earlier decision by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge ruling that the ban on K-12 mask mandates and other provisions included in the Budget Reconciliation Bills this legislative session violate the Arizona Constitution’s title requirement and/or single-subject rule. The ruling in the lawsuit led by the Arizona School Board Association and other education groups came less than two hours after the conclusion of oral arguments. The Arizona Supreme Court will issue a full opinion, according to the order. AzHHA along with the Arizona Medical Association submitted Amici Curiae to the Arizona Supreme Court last month.
AHA releases resources on workforce challenges
The American Hospital Association (AHA) developed a number of new materials this week to support hospitals and health systems as they navigate workforce challenges that affect their ability to care for their patients and communities.
The data brief on workforce outlines how healthcare workforce challenges are threatening hospitals’ ability to care for patients and communities. The report details
- how staffing shortages have cost hospitals approximately $24 billion throughout the pandemic;
- high staff turnover due to COVID-19 pressures and
- hospitals’ increased use of contract temporary labor for full-time and part-time staff.
The 2022 AHA Health Care Talent Scan looks at the latest factors and trends affecting the healthcare workforce. Topics include COVID-19’s impact on healthcare workers, workforce shortages, team-based models, telehealth and clinician well-being. View the full report, here.
Lastly, the AHA, along with the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety, released “Creating Safer Workplaces: A guide to mitigating violence in health care settings.” This resource offers recommended action steps, case studies, best practices and individual solutions to create a safer workplace.
Open enrollment has begun
Enrollment for healthcare coverage through the health insurance marketplace began Monday, November 1. This year, Arizonans will have new plans available as well as more financial help. According to Cover Arizona,
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if taxable family income is no more than 150% of Federal Poverty Level consumers may choose a plan with no monthly premium, plus reduced costs when medical care is received.
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consumers earning more than 400% Federal Poverty Level will not pay more than 8.5% of income for monthly premiums.
No-cost assistance is available at CoverAZ.org or Healthcare.gov/find-assistance. Open enrollment closes January 15, 2022.
Upcoming Events
November 11 and December 2 - Introduction to POLST
Interested in learning how to use the Arizona POLST form with your patients? The one-hour Introduction to POLST workshop equips healthcare professionals with knowledge and resources to begin using POLST, Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, 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. To register for a workshop, click on a date below.
November 16 - Advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) in Healthcare Leadership
The Arizona Telemedicine Program will host a webinar November 16 at noon geared towards identifying strategies to advance and incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within healthcare practices through the creation of DEI councils. To learn more or register, here.
In the News
A potentially faster-spreading Delta variant, AY.4.2, has been spotted in 8 states
CBS News
Air Force: Nearly 97% of active members complied with vaccine mandate
Axios
Arizona hospitals with Nov. 1 vaccine deadlines all report more than 95% compliance
KJZZ
TGen case study documents first reported U.S. transmission of COVID from a pet owner to pets
TGen