*While TCAA is committed to sharing resources from our federal and state partners related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this should not be deemed an endorsement of the information and/or services provided.            

In the past year, we have witnessed many changes and developments as it relates to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We trust you and those around you are taking the necessary safety precautions to avoid this virus which was labeled a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Please see updates and resources below that provide answers to frequently asked questions, and consider these in your planning and preparation.

WEBINARS - Click here for details, registration and information on previous webinars.

TCAA COVID-19 and Trauma Report

TCAA released the results of its survey titled COVID-19 and Trauma. The survey examined the Effect of COVID-19 on Trauma Centers in the United States: Response and Recovery Efforts. Questions were related to the impact of the pandemic on various aspects of trauma center operations including patient volume, revenue, staffing, recovery efforts and controls related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The organization received responses from over 100 members representing all levels of designation including pediatric and combo centers. TCAA shared the results of this study with federal partners including the CDC, NIH and ASPR. Thank you to all the members who submitted responses to the survey. 

TCAA members may access the full report here.

COVID-19 variants/impact on mAb distribution

The U.S. Government is evaluating recommendations for use of bamlanivimab in regions where the SARS-CoV2 mutation L452R found in B.1.429/B.1.427 lineages (a.k.a. 20C/CAL.20C) is circulating in high numbers given concerns that the clinical activity of bamlanivimab is impacted by this variant. ASPR will limit distribution to these regions of the country by stopping direct ordering for bamlanivimab while evaluations are ongoing. Currently, this action will only affect the states of California, Arizona, and Nevada. The other two authorized products, bamlanivimab + etesevimab and casirivimab + imdevimab, do not appear to be affected and will continue to be available for direct ordering in these states.

ASPR is working with the CDC, NIH, and FDA on any recommendations for treatment and will continue to work closely with these agencies on surveillance of this and other variants that may impact the use of the monoclonal antibodies authorized under emergency use. We will update our stakeholders with any new recommendations.

The monoclonal antibody products under EUA continue to be available for  direct ordering except as noted above. Please contact  COVID19Therapeutics@hhs.gov with any questions.

UPDATE 2 - COVID-19 variants/impact on mAb distribution

HHS mAb UPDATE - P.1 variant and effect on distribution

UPDATE: COVID-19 Variants and Effect on Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics Distribution-National Pause

High-flow Nasal Cannulation: A Non-invasive Resuscitation Therapy for COVID-19 Patients

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is currently procuring 30,000 HFNC kits for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that can allow its GM/Ventec V+Pro ventilators to provide this type of therapy. This is the only ventilator model in the SNS with this potential capability. As part of the COVID-19 ventilator acquisition, the SNS now holds 30,000 Ventec V+Pro ventilators that will be paired 1:1 with these new HFNC kits.

Please see the one-pager for additional details and information in regards to the request process.

Contact ASPRstakeholder@hhs.gov with questions.

COVID-19 & You

TCAA developed a presentation titled COVID-19 & You. The guide provides advice for how to stay healthy, how to boost your immune system and how to limit the transmission of the disease from work to home.  Click here to view the presentation in full.

CARES Act Provider Relief Fund 

The United States Department of Health and Human Services released plans for the second allocation of the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. The Act provides that $100 billion shall be distributed to healthcare providers. Click here for the press release which provides a breakdown and timeline for allocations. 

FEMA Healthcare Resilience Task Force- COVID-19 Hospital Resource Package

The FEMA Healthcare Resilience Task Force has created the COVID-19 Hospital Resource Package as a comprehensive resource offering guidance on common crisis challenges, enabling hospitals and their personnel to operate more effectively and efficiently.

Within the document is a list of all current best practices and resources for hospital administrators, hospital emergency planners, and infection control practitioners in the following topical areas: hospital surge, crisis standards of care, staffing surge and resilience, workforce protection, regulatory relief, equipment supply surge and telemedicine.

All guidance in the COVID-19 Hospital Resource Package is accessible to the public and we strongly encourage you to share this link and document with your colleagues and peers to better empower all involved in the fight against COVID-19. 

Access application instructions, the video webinar, presentation slides and guidance on the application process at https://www.fcc.gov/covid-19-telehealth-program.

HOW IS THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD? HOW DO I AVOID CONTRACTING THE VIRUS? WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the Coronavirus is spread through direct person to person contact. Avoid contracting the virus by limiting close contact especially with someone coughing or sneezing. Also, wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer if soap isn’t available. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. For more information click here. 

WHAT GUIDANCE IS BEING OFFERED FOR CLINICIANS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS?

The UW Medicine COVID-19 Public Site provides documents and resources related to screening, testing and policy statements to assist providers. Please be mindful that these resources are constantly evolving and any information provided is subject to change. Learn more here .

The UW Department of Emergency Medicine ED/ICU also released a COVID-19 guide to educate clinicians and providers on how to prepare for combating the virus, preventing the spread of the virus and caring for infected patients. The guide is updated frequently and can be accessed here.

The American College of Surgeons issued a document providing guidance for Trauma Medical Directors during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic including tips for planning, suggested policies and procedures and strategies for care. Click here for the full text of the document .

COVID Mortality Rate for Healthcare Workers 

Over 3,600 healthcare workers died during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. TCAA recognizes the direct impact of the pandemic on hospital staff due to contact with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and the overall affect it has on their personal and professional lives. So many take risks daily to protect and care for others, and this does not go unnoticed. See resources below providing more information and data on the number of deaths resulting from COVID-19.

https://khn.org/news/lost-on-the-frontline-health-care-worker-death-toll-covid19-coronavirus/

https://khn.org/news/article/us-health-workers-deaths-covid-lost-on-the-frontline/#:~:text=More%20than%203%2C600%20U.S.%20health,KHN%20to%20track%20such%20deaths.

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/3600-us-health-workers-died-covids-1st-year/story?id=76944085

https://www.statista.com/chart/23882/healthcare-worker-deaths-by-state/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicagold/2020/12/22/we-need-to-talk-about-the-covid-19-deaths-of-healthcare-workers/?sh=586d487d3707

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/nurses-account-for-most-known-us-healthcare-worker-covid-19-deaths-guardian-khn.html

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• TCAA Response to HELP Committee White Paper - COVID-19: Preparing for The Next Pandemic

• COVID-19 Major Enacted State and Federal Legislation

• *FUNDING OPPORTUNITY* - HHS ASPR Hospital Association COVID-19 Preparedness and Response

• Society of Trauma Nurses - COVID-19 Resources

• COVID-19 Outbreak in Northern Italy: Viewpoint of the Milan Area Surgical Community

• Is There a Role for Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) as a Novel Treatment for Refractory COVID-19 Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
  

• Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF) Guidance for Hospitals and Health Systems

• What if I Come in Contact With Someone Exposed to Coronavirus?

• ACS Accreditation and Verification Programs Grant One Year Extensions

• CMS will implement the new COVID-19 diagnosis code “U07.1”
  

• Novel Coronavirus Resources - ASPR TRACIE

* ASPR TRACIE COVID-19 Alternate Care Site Resources

* ASPR TRACIE COVID-19 Crisis Standards of Care Resources

* ASPR TRACIE COVID-19 Critical Care Surge Resources

• American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) - Strategic National Stockpile Ventilator Training Program

• American Heart Association - Oxygenation & Ventilation of the COVID-19 Patient

• Harvard University EdX - Mechanical Ventilation for COVID-19

• ACS Statement of the Importance of Maintaining the Emergency Care System during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Factors Associated With Mental Health Outcomes Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019
  

• ENA continues to fully support TNCC and ENPC courses during the developing COVID-19 pandemic

• ACS Advanced Trauma Life Support program

• WSW Coronavirus Report - House Democratic Caucus HEROES ACT

• 7 Ways to Remain Positive and Productive in Times of Crisis

• Fact Sheet for State and Local Governments - CMS Programs & Payment for Care in Hospital Alternate Care Sites

• WSW Review Senate HELP Pandemic Preparations

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) makes COVID therapies, bamlanivimab and casirivimab/imdevimab available for direct ordering

• U.S. FDA Authorizes Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use