FDA: Class I recall of Innova Medical Group’s COVID-19 test
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on June 10, announced the Class I recall of Innova Medical Group’s SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Test. The test, which claimed to determine if a person has an active COVID-19 infection, has not been authorized, cleared, or approved by the FDA for…
Cleveland Clinic study finds no vaccine needed for those previously infected with COVID-19
Editor's Note This study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic finds that those who have been infected with COVID-19 do not get additional benefits from the vaccine, suggesting that vaccines should be prioritized to individuals who have not gotten the infection. During this analysis of 52,238 Cleveland Clinic employees over…
University of Maryland Medical System to require employees to get COVID-19 vaccinations
Editor's Note The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) announced on June 9 that it will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees, beginning September 1, 2021. UMMS leaders at the manager level and above have until August 1, 2021, to be vaccinated. All UMMS team members and partners, including contractors,…
University of Louisville study finds mask mandates did not slow spread of COVID-19
Editor's Note This study by researchers at the University of Louisville finds that state mask mandates did not help slow COVID-19 transmission. The analysis compares COVID-19 case growth rates in 33 states that imposed statewide mask mandates on or before August 2, 2020, with states that imposed mask mandates after…
The Joint Commission announces 2020 Eisenberg Award winners
Editor's Note The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum (NQF), on June 9, announced the recipients of the 2020 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards. The awards recognize and honor initiatives in three categories: Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality at the National Level—Veterans Health Administration Rapid Naloxone…
CDC: Decreases in COVID-19 cases, ED visits, admissions, deaths, since vaccinations began
Editor's Note This study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that since adult COVID-19 vaccinations began in the US in December 2020, there has been a: 40% decline in cases 59% decrease in emergency department (ED) visits 65% drop in hospital admissions 66% decline…
Houston Methodist suspends HCWs for failing to get COVID-19 vaccine
Editor's Note Houston Methodist has suspended 178 healthcare workers (HCWs) for not following a hospital policy that requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the June 7 New York Times reports. After warning employees last month that they had to be vaccinated by June 7 or face suspension, 117 HCWs…
Joint Commission Resources launches Digital Learning Center
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced June 2 that Joint Commission Resources, Inc, (JCR) has launched a new subscription-based Digital Learning Center (DLC) to provide on-demand accreditation and compliance courses and content. In addition to JCR’s digital content, which includes webinars, videos, PolicySource, and digital newsletters and e-books, the DLC…
COVID-19 testing programs sustain in-person instruction, extracurricular activities in Utah
Editor's Note Utah’s high school COVID-19 testing programs saved in-person instruction days and facilitated the continuation of extracurricular activities during a period of high COVID-19 incidence among high-school aged students, this study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds. Utah implemented two COVID-19 testing programs: Test to Play—testing…
Public trust, willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19
Editor's Note This study by researchers in the United Kingdom finds that despite declines in hesitancy to be vaccinated against COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy remains high in young adults and Black and low socioeconomic status individuals. A total of 7,420 participants provided 42,154 survey responses to the Understanding America Study (UAS)…
